[Torque454]

I have a 1980 Volvo 265 that has a Vortec 4.3 in it and a 700r4. The 700r4 is rebuilt by a professional transmission shop that does this day in and day out.

The transmission shifts like it should, the engine doesnt lug or anything like that, but it will hit 2nd gear really fast (like 5mph or less and that shift is extra firm) and is in overdrive by about 35 mph. It kicks down like it should when you push the throttle down far enough, BUT, even with the pedal on the floor it will shift to the next gear around 3,500 RPM. It wont rev up to 5 or 6k like it should.

Due to this, it lacks the get up and go that it could and should have. If you shift it manually it does great.

What could be the problem? The transmission shop reinstalled the transmission and adjusted the TV cable and all that, so that all SHOULD be fine.. but I dont know.

The year, model and gear ratio of the vehicle that the transmission came from is unknown.

Anyone got any ideas for me?

[rick 427]

UHHH,yea...Take it back to the shop that did the work.

[Torque454]

Oh guess I should finish the story. The car was "rebuilt" in 1999 which is when this transmission was done. Its sat most of the time since then, it was only a spare vehicle for the previous owner. Anyways, the warranty is long gone and I dont even know if that shop is still around or not.

[Torque454]

No one knows why a 700r4 would shift at 3500 rpm at W.O.T? Maybe it has a diesel governor? I dont know...

[dwwl]

I hate to say anything, because i don't know much about the 700, but i'd guess like the average joe. I think you tranny is set up for a vehicle with a different gear ratio so it shift to soon in every gear. What is your rear gear ratio? You may have to call one of the rear tranny experts, but they will need to know alot about your vehicle and the tranny as far as what year it is.

[Jake_Dragon]

I also vote for the governor.
B&M 20248 B&M Governor Recalibration Kit
Haven't done mine yet but will probably fix it this summer.

[Torque454]

Originally Posted by dwwl

I hate to say anything, because i don't know much about the 700, but i'd guess like the average joe. I think you tranny is set up for a vehicle with a different gear ratio so it shift to soon in every gear. What is your rear gear ratio? You may have to call one of the rear tranny experts, but they will need to know alot about your vehicle and the tranny as far as what year it is.

My guess is that you're both probably right. The governor is set for a different vehicle. Problem is that I dont know what vehicle the trans came from, or what its gear ratio was, nor do I know what the current vehicle gear ratio is. I need to figure that out so I can order the correct speedometer gear. Its off by about 7mph.

Anyways. I need the trans to shift around 5,000 or 5,500. Stock red line for this engine is 5,600 RPM. This car will kick some butt with an appropriately shifting transmission. It has alot of get up and go to it, but if you shift it manually and rev it up higher, it goes even better.

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by Torque454

My guess is that you're both probably right. The governor is set for a different vehicle. Problem is that I dont know what vehicle the trans came from, or what its gear ratio was, nor do I know what the current vehicle gear ratio is. I need to figure that out so I can order the correct speedometer gear. Its off by about 7mph.

Anyways. I need the trans to shift around 5,000 or 5,500. Stock red line for this engine is 5,600 RPM. This car will kick some butt with an appropriately shifting transmission. It has alot of get up and go to it, but if you shift it manually and rev it up higher, it goes even better.

Seems you need to gather information on gear ratio and stuff.

the governor is under the press on round cover near rear of main trans case (if you dont know) ... You need more room to install the cover back on, than to remove it. Check that before you blast the cover off with a screw driver and hammer.

On a 700r4 / 4L60 trans, the valve body is calibrated with the governor to some degree. Different strength springs on the the shift valves , different size shift valves.. Do Not take this to mean that each valve body is calibrated with each governor. What I am saying there are some variations on the valve body too.

The recalibration kit is best option for most DIY guys, rather than grinding on the weights.

Inner governor springs affect shift timing the most at 35mph and lower... the inner weights affect shift timing most above the 35mph. The springs and weights work together, I am just pointing out what affects what at a certain mph for a FYI to you work with..... gear ration , tire size affect that stuff too

this si not a hard line, it is a guide line on the 35 mph comment.

[gonzo08383]

my 700 did the same thing when i had the cable too loose. if you try everything else and still shifts too quick just pull more tension on the tv cable and set it. by more tension i mean just a wee bit. make adjustments by 1/16th of an inch at a time and drive it just a ways too see if it helped. dont drive it too far just in case. you can burn up a 700 easy if that cable isnt right. if you have to adjust the cable any more than 1/4th inch either direction STOP IMMEADIATELY. let the trans guys deal with it at that point. you shouldnt have to adjust it far to get the shifting right. mine had to move less than 1/8th inch to get the line pressures right. too much slack in the cable had me in OD at 35mph. not good.