Identify early vs. late 700R4
10-05-2000, 09:31 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Identify early vs. late 700R4
I am going to buy a used tranny from a local f-body salvage yard here in Miami and I'd like to know how to identify the early 83 - 86 vs later 87 & up tranny. My car is a late 86. Does anybody know when the switch was made to the newer design? Is there anything I need to look out for? Thanks 
------------------
Edwin
1986 IROC, 1992 Body Kit, 1989 5.7 IROC Engine, Crane Cam, 3" CVX Exhaust, ADS Superchip, 24# FoMoCo Injectors, Gutted Cat, AFPR (45 psi), Airfoil, 3.42 Gears, MAF Screens removed, Gutted Airbox, K&N Filters
------------------
Edwin
1986 IROC, 1992 Body Kit, 1989 5.7 IROC Engine, Crane Cam, 3" CVX Exhaust, ADS Superchip, 24# FoMoCo Injectors, Gutted Cat, AFPR (45 psi), Airfoil, 3.42 Gears, MAF Screens removed, Gutted Airbox, K&N Filters
10-05-2000, 09:39 PM
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
The new version of the 700R4 appeared very late in the '86 model year.
From the F-body FAQ:
------------------
1984 Silver Z28, 383 cid 4 bolt, ARP Fasteners, 2 1/2" Cowl Induction Hood, 600 cfm Performer Carburetor, Torker II Intake, Performer RPM Heads, XE268H Cam, Magnum Roller Tip Rockers, MSD6A Ignition, Blaster2 Coil, HEI Distributor w/ Adjustable Advance, 700R4, TransGo SK, 2.73:1 Limited Slip Dana 44, Terminator Headers, Custom 3" TIG Welded Stainless Exhaust, Flowmaster Muffler, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Oil Cooler
From the F-body FAQ:
The auxiliary valve body is on the drivers side, just behind the trans valve body (opposite the accumulator housing). Four bolts hold the a 6 x 2 inch block in place with a tube a tube connecting it to the front-side of the main valve body. You can tell if you've got the auxiliary valve body without pulling the pan. The later tranny has a slightly deeper pan to accommodate the auxiliary valve body. To make certain identification, GM changed the pattern of markings on the pan bottom where the magnet is located. These markings are visible from the underside, near a rearward corner, forming a square shape of size 1.75 inches or so. The later pans (accommodating the auxiliary valve body) have unequal length lines (one set is longer than the rest) unlike the earlier pans which have all lines equal length. Also, behind the torque converter, look for a casting number on the front pump. If the last three digits are "732", then you have the new, improved version of the 700-R4.
------------------
1984 Silver Z28, 383 cid 4 bolt, ARP Fasteners, 2 1/2" Cowl Induction Hood, 600 cfm Performer Carburetor, Torker II Intake, Performer RPM Heads, XE268H Cam, Magnum Roller Tip Rockers, MSD6A Ignition, Blaster2 Coil, HEI Distributor w/ Adjustable Advance, 700R4, TransGo SK, 2.73:1 Limited Slip Dana 44, Terminator Headers, Custom 3" TIG Welded Stainless Exhaust, Flowmaster Muffler, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Oil Cooler
10-05-2000, 11:37 PM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks! I guess I should have checked the FAQ first. (DOH!) 
------------------
Edwin
1986 IROC, 1992 Body Kit, 1989 5.7 IROC Engine, Crane Cam, 3" CVX Exhaust, ADS Superchip, 24# FoMoCo Injectors, Gutted Cat, AFPR (45 psi), Airfoil, 3.42 Gears, MAF Screens removed, Gutted Airbox, K&N Filters
------------------
Edwin
1986 IROC, 1992 Body Kit, 1989 5.7 IROC Engine, Crane Cam, 3" CVX Exhaust, ADS Superchip, 24# FoMoCo Injectors, Gutted Cat, AFPR (45 psi), Airfoil, 3.42 Gears, MAF Screens removed, Gutted Airbox, K&N Filters
10-06-2000, 09:34 AM
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Actually, the auxiliary valve body appeared in 1987. I believe the trans was strenthened up a bit for 85/86 as opposed to '84.
My 85-86 pan has no such rectangular markings; it uses the circular magnet, the center of which is indictated by a dimple in the rear driver's side of the pan bottom.
There's also a serial # that should be present on the passenger side. It's towards the front of the fluid pan, right above the gasket flange. In that # there's a year coding; I don't know how to read it without my manuals though. If you go to a parts store and flip thru a Haynes 82-92 f-body manual, or their Transmission Rebuild manual, it's in there.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
My 85-86 pan has no such rectangular markings; it uses the circular magnet, the center of which is indictated by a dimple in the rear driver's side of the pan bottom.
There's also a serial # that should be present on the passenger side. It's towards the front of the fluid pan, right above the gasket flange. In that # there's a year coding; I don't know how to read it without my manuals though. If you go to a parts store and flip thru a Haynes 82-92 f-body manual, or their Transmission Rebuild manual, it's in there.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
10-06-2000, 11:10 PM
#5
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I only know this because I had to identify my tranny before I installed my shift improver kit today... that serial number that TomP mentioned, he has the location correct but this is how to decrypt it...
Ex: "9 YK M-Y-XXXXXXXX-267 A"
First number is the model year 9=89)
YK is the model
M stands for THM700R4
The X's are the serial number
267 is the Julian date or day of year produced
A or B = First shift/C or H = Second shift
Although this is straight out of my shift improver kit directions THIS is what I got off my '91 700R4: 1FTM058A ... so I can see that meaning the '91 year, model FT, M=700R4, 058th day of the year and first shift-no serial number, whatever. That should be a more concrete way to identify it if I do say so myself! Good luck!
------------------
'91 Firebird
305/TBI/700R4/T-tops
Mods: Catco high flow cat - Taylor 8mm Spiro-Pro's - ACDelco Rapidfire Plugs - K&N Air Filter - Trans Am tail light conversion
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Pioneer 6x9's - Kenwood 8" Tube
'91 Pics
'87 Firebird
2.8L/MPFI/700R4/220K Miles on its original, never been rebuilt engine!
Car being parted and sold, just ask what I have.
'87 Pics
Ex: "9 YK M-Y-XXXXXXXX-267 A"
First number is the model year 9=89)
YK is the model
M stands for THM700R4
The X's are the serial number
267 is the Julian date or day of year produced
A or B = First shift/C or H = Second shift
Although this is straight out of my shift improver kit directions THIS is what I got off my '91 700R4: 1FTM058A ... so I can see that meaning the '91 year, model FT, M=700R4, 058th day of the year and first shift-no serial number, whatever. That should be a more concrete way to identify it if I do say so myself! Good luck!
------------------
'91 Firebird
305/TBI/700R4/T-tops
Mods: Catco high flow cat - Taylor 8mm Spiro-Pro's - ACDelco Rapidfire Plugs - K&N Air Filter - Trans Am tail light conversion
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Pioneer 6x9's - Kenwood 8" Tube
'91 Pics
'87 Firebird
2.8L/MPFI/700R4/220K Miles on its original, never been rebuilt engine!
Car being parted and sold, just ask what I have.
'87 Pics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Z28/ZR1
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
3
10-23-2015 01:04 PM
[CA] 700R4 trans & parts
6998poncho
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
09-25-2015 02:56 PM
