200R4 Shift problems.

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by Byron, Oct 27, 2010.

  1. Byron

    Byron Well-Known Member

    I Replaced the TH350 trans the other day with a 200R4 that came out of a cadillac. Two Mechanics checked over the used 200R4 and said it looked good to run as it was so they did the install in my car. Anyway when I drove off the car was skipping from 2nd to 3rd to 4th really fast. I checked the TV cable and it wasn't adjusted properly so I adjusted it and it made one click. I test drove it again and the trans was then locked in second. I braked and accelerated a few times and eventually it went to third briefly then to 4th. It has no power in 3rd at all except on the highway when I punch the accelerator at 70 MPH and it drops back to third pulling hard. Other times around town at low speed it slips and revs in second then jerks to third then to fourth. I dropped the pan and found a bunch of debris and sludge everywhere, so I changed the filter. I also checked the governor to see the springs were in place and they were. I modified the governor to GN specs and reinstalled everyting with new oil. It's still stuck in second gear, Pulls hard to 6000 but won't change to third. The electric connector for lock up isn't connected, they told me I didn't need to run it. Could this be a problem? Could it be a stuck throotle valve full of sludge? A binding TV cable? Any suggetions Before I pull It out and put the old TH350 back in? I'm at a loss.
    Thanks.
     
  2. speedtigger

    speedtigger 9 Second Club

    I am doing this project as we speak. Everything I have read really emphasizes how important the cable geometry is. Here is a diagram depicting the correct geometry:
    http://www.cpttransmission.com/Files/tec2.jpg
    [​IMG]

    If you don't want to scrounge and put all of that together, there are kits available. The kit my builder uses and recommends is from Bowtie Overdrives. Here is a link: http://www.tvmadeez.com/ez_solution.php
     
  3. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    A stuck TV plunger "could" be the cause. One day in my Skylark when it had a 200r4 behind a 231 it started shifting around 3500rpm and a bit harsh when for a year or so it was normal. Anyways, drove it that way for another year or two (hey, the 231 needed the extra rpm anyways =P) then I pulled the pan for a fluid change and look for junk check, and look at that, even though the cable had tension on it, the plunger thing was stuck. Hit it a few times with a screwdriver (or pryed on it? It's been seven years) and the plunger popped loose. Then the trans shifted normally again. I'm guessing the 231 didn't have enough HP to seriously hurt the trans where the TV was stuck.

    My non-transmission expert opinion is, if you got junk in the pan, it's a possibility.
     
  4. techg8

    techg8 The BS GS

    what is your TV cable hooked up to bracket-wise, at the carb end? the geometry of it all makes a big difference, and a loose TV cable will make for slippage and fast upshifts because the trans pressure isnt being bumped up by the TValve.

    If you had the heavyweight governor to begin with that can also make for fast upshifts. But you modified the gov so thats probably not it.
     
  5. Byron

    Byron Well-Known Member

    The Backet came from the mechanic he ordered it to the spec for the 200r4. It's running to a barry grant 650 carb connected to the bottom hole. The cable is the self adjusting one I believe for the 200r4 and 700 transmissions. I did notice when I had the pan off and my son depressed the accelerator pedel and the bracket running off the TV bracket never fully comes off the plunger it seems like the plunger is depressed about a 1/4 inch inside the transmission with no acceleration. Any thoughts?
     
  6. Byron

    Byron Well-Known Member

    Thanks for that. That Bowtie overrives website is exellent. The Throttle valve 101 tutorial was really helpfull and the complete linkage kit for the carb looks great. I will order one of them now. Best info I've found on the web so far.
     
  7. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    Install a pressure gauge that has a range of 0-300PSI and check the line pressure. At idle you should have 80-90 PSI in park (or D for that matter). With the engine running disconnect the TV cable from the throttle and pull it out all the way out until it's tight as a banjo string. The pressure should be in the 275PSI range. If it's not then the throttle valve is probably not moving through it's full range of motion. If the pressure hits the 275 mark then it's probably ok and the adjustment at the carb is off. You'll pull your hair out trying to ensure that all the dimensions and angles are correct. Just make sure you have the correct tv cable bracket and geometry corrector for your carb and the math should be ok. The rule of thumb is at WOT the tv cable must be extended all the way. Drop the $ for a pressure gauge and use that as your guide for proper tv cable setup. I just installed a 200-4R in my '64 and got the setup right on the first try using a pressure gauge. It's not rocket science but if it's way off you'll trash that tranny in a few minutes time. Of course, all this assumes we're working with a decent transmission.
     
  8. techg8

    techg8 The BS GS

    good advice. FYI the pressure tap is located on the drivers side of the trans, a bit above the manual lever iirc.

    its a small pipe threaded plug.
     
  9. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    Yep, and fluid will coming running out even with an empty pan.
     
  10. Byron

    Byron Well-Known Member

    This sounds good. Any idea on the size of pipe thread as I'm away from the car at the moment and can't look at it. I'll pick up a gauge and hose here at work and I'm thinking once i've got the correction bracket for the carb I may run the car with a gauge installed. Is this possible to keep a permanent gauge do you think. Sure would save trouble shooting time as these transmissions seem to be very pressure sensitive from what I'm hearing.
     
  11. bammax

    bammax Well-Known Member

    200-4r are very temperemntal and very delicate when it comes to adjusting them. Once they are set up and all the cables valves are functioning they are great units. I had a couple different versions of the 700 and my last car had the 200 in it and it was a much nicer trans. You'll be happy with it once it's adjusted right.
     
  12. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    I think it's 1/4" NPT. I'm using a TCI branded gauge made by Auto Meter. It's permanently installed now but during setup I just set it on top of the dash so I could read it while under the hood. It cost about $80 and includes all the fittings and tubing but you'll need to purchase a 2 5/8" mounting bracket. It's nice to have because you can observe the pressure under different situations.
     

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