[81chevycamino]

I've searched everywhere for my answer! Im rebuilding my early 87' 700r4. I took the valve body loose and there were one or two check ball between it and the separator plate. I don't know where they went. Can anyone help please! Also, does anyone have a trick for compressing the spring things to get the snap rings on without the $200 special tool?

[Crosley]

Slight changes for check ball locations : 1987 is a mid year change on the 700 trans. Do you have early or late design 700r4?

Does the trans have an aux v-body?

[81chevycamino]

early and yes it has the aux

[81chevycamino]

....I still need help....

[123pugsy]

The check balls probably fell out during disassembly. Pickup how many you need when you get your kit.

You can make tools if you have welding equipment and some chunks of metal laying around.

[81chevycamino]

I need to know where they go between the valve body and the seperator plate.

[123pugsy]

Relax about the check balls. I can get you that info or you can pick up a 700R4 rebuild manual from ATSG.

Are you doing a full rebuild?
If so, you won't need the check balls until near the end. If you have 2 now, pickup 5 more when you get your kit. You can leave the large one out, so they will all be 1/4'' diameter.

Getting the springs compressed will be a priority before the check balls.

BTW, your response of having an early 87 and also having an aux valve body don't jive. Was there a tube from the oil pump to the rear valve body?
This affects the positions of the check balls.

[Crosley]

In mid 1987 GM built some weird combos on the 700r4... early 700r4 had no aux v-body and transfer tube...

then they used the early design main v-body with the aux v-body and transfer tube...

then late 1987 they used the updated main v-body with aux v-body and transfer tube.

Different check ball locations per main v-body design and aux v-body or not. Gm was trying to act like Ford or something in 1987 with the 700r4 transmittin

[Crosley]

photo of late design 700r4 main v-body. Crude deal photo, sorry. Could not find my other photos. Computers come & go, so do the photos

Look in the yellow square. One hole , to the left of that hole is a flat spot.... that is late design v-body.

IF you HAVE two open holes there, that is an early design v-body

[81chevycamino]

I do...I have the early valve body with the transfer tube and aux body. I know the check balls I lost were near the front of the seperator plate.

[Crosley]

Check balls near front of early v-body, located in the v-body.

Should be witness wear marks (shiney smooth around the ck ball holes) on the separator plate too

[81chevycamino]

Awesome thank you!!! This rebuild has stalled out hopefully I can get motivated again!

[Kawabuggy]

81 Chevy you stated "you have the early valve body with transfer tube & aux. VB"... So, you have TWO holes above the 1-2 sequence valve on the VB????????? That would indicate an early (82-early 86 non-aux. VB's) valve body.

While it is possible (I've seen it before) it is more likely that you have a single hole/late/auxillary valve body.

The pic that Crosley posted, you can leave out the check ball closest to the leading edge. Leaving it out will give a slightly more firm reverse apply. So slight you probably won't even notice a difference.