Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

Hi everyone! I am working on a 1966 C10 and I just bought a 700R4 out of a 1992 C1500 to put in it. I've been doing lots of reading on the lockup for the torque converter and I'm getting really confused on what I need to buy and what way to set it up. Some say to set it up electrically with the brake pedal and some say to use vacuum to control it. I found the square plug on Amazon and I also found a vacuum switch but I'm not sure what goes where or what is the best way to set it up. It sounds like I can burn the trans up if it isn't done correctly. Can anyone shed some light on this or point me to a kit that is made to make this simple? This trans is not the computer controlled one. It has the TV cable. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

Bowtie Overdrives will have everything you need.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I just Did my Brothers America Out Sweet I Just did A Toggle Switch To turn Over Drive on and off. Had Driveshaft Cut And Reblanced Put A Cable Shifter In Motor Just Purrs Now Good Luck

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I second this suggestion. Unlike a TH350 or 400 the 700R4 is easily damaged if not set up correctly.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

Having it electrically linked/tied through the brake pedal is a safety cut out. To make sure the lock up converter, unlocks when braking . A low vacuum switch, is used to unlock the converter during WOT and steep up hill grades. These 2 items would be wired in line, with the lock up signal, but neither one activates it. Most commonly used are a manual switch. Or, a 4th gear pressure switch ( located on the valve body ) which would need the 2 previous items your asking about.

If the TV cable is not adjusted correctly, you can certainly hurt the trans. This also includes having the proper TV cable geometry at the throttle linkage. If you're using a holley carb. I know they have a TV cable throttle bracket for them, and would assume edlebrock does as well.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I ran a 200-4R in my 69 Chevelle for many years, with a lock up converter. This B&M Controller is pricey, but easily the best way to do it. You don't need the brake light switch nor the vacuum switch with this controller.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...l00aAm2c8P8HAQ

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I used the lockup from Ron Francis wire works. It is complete and works really good. About 25000 miles so far. For the TV cable setup hard to beat how well the bowtie overdrive kit works. What motor setup do you have?
Jimmy
https://www.ronfrancis.com/products.asp?dept=36

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I am going to build a 283. I already have the engine and I have a pair of HO 305 heads to put on it. I'm still trying to decide what cam to put in it. I want it to be the most aggressive cam I can run without losing vacuum for the power brakes??

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I haven't bought an intake or carb either so any suggestions would be great!

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

You might want to start a new thread for that question since most people looking at this one will be here to answer a question about the transmission.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

It looks like the B&M kit and the Ron Francis kit are about the same price. I want the best setup so what should I go with? This torque converter lockup stuff is all new to me! I don't want to ruin my transmission so I want the setup that will protect it 100%, no matter what it costs.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

The lockup is not as important TV cable. You can run it with out the lock up but not the TV cable set up correctly. I can not comment on the B&M but the Ron Francis stuff has been flawless.
Jimmy

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I have the B&M system in my 64. Works flawlessly. The feature that allows you to adjust at when speed it activates, in my case 60MPH, is really nice. As soon as you fall below the set speed it deactivates.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

You would probably be happy with either. I know that Bowtie now sells the B&M alongside their own kit. Getting the TV correct would be my first priority.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I went with the TCI lock-up kit with mine. Everything works well, does great on the highway. Also able to lock up the converter in 2nd or 3rd with a manual switch. Pretty good customer service also.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

Did you use a tci trans also or just the kit? If so are you happy with it?

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

I did not use a TCI transmission. I had one built locally with heavy duty parts to handle my 383. After a lot of research, I ordered the TCI lock up kit and installed it myself. TCI is located here in Mississippi also. It's been 5 years and I'm very pleased with it. My pickup ain't no trailer queen either, I DRIVE it..LOL

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

So what is the difference between an external lockup kit and an internal kit? It seems to me that the internal kit would be better but maybe that is not the case. Are both kits going to do the same thing? Will one do it better/simpler than the other? I watched a video from Monster Transmission about their internal kit and it looks easy to install. I'd rather it be automatic than me having to turn a switch on and off.

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

The setup I used is fully automatic. It is triggered off the pressure switches inside the trans and the speed sensor on the side of the trans hooked to the speedometer output. This allows it to sense what gear it is in and you can adjust the speed it locks up to suite your combination. It also has a lead to go to the brake switch to unlock it when you hit the brakes. Mine also has an output for a light to let you know when it locks. I used the tandem lock light in the cluster. This allowed me to fine tune it. Min is set to just under 50 and that works for me well on my ride back and forth to work.
Jimmy

Re: Need help with 700R4 installation in a 1966 C10
 

The TCI kit is automatic as well but uses a vacuum switch to send a signal to the lock up solenoid when in 4th gear which is usually highway speed. A manual switch is not necessary unless you want the ability to lock the converter in 2nd or 3rd.