Transmission is out today, finally!

DaveP

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

In interest of .net harmony, my line by line response to boneman has been removed, and sent as a PM. You guys missed some fun reading.

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Here's an excerpt from the original beauty of a post I had up for you, but redacted most of it. This isn't too inflammatory, and is factually accurate. Unlike claiming "it will last a few days at most if [insert favorite builder] didn't build it".


There's nothing mysterious or "special" about a SyTy 4L60 transmission. Other than the separator plate which provides the calibration, there is not one single part in a factory SyTy build (LHM) that isn't used in other 4L60 factory-builds. Any trans builder with enough experience to be proficient, and has a reasonable track record as far as not making dumb mistakes, knowing where the problems lie and how to fix them, and can spot deficiencies and wear in hard parts that are only replaced on an as-needed basis, has the same chance of success as a guy that "specializes" in SyTy.

In my book, the professional that does 10 a week is way more likely to get it right the first time, and a build that lasts, than a "specialist" that does a side-job or two a year in his spare time. There is no difference in assembling a 4L60 for a SyTy than there is with assembling one for grandma's Roadmaster. Both require someone that knows enough not to make dumb mistakes, and knows where to look for latent problems during tear down.

If you want to find a guy that knows how to make a 4L60/60e live in "severe duty usage" find a shop that specializes in domestic pick-ups. Particularly when used in snow-plow service. [long time professional builder] told me plow-service busted more parts than hot rods ever did.
 
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0966Sy

Code what?
Transmission is out today, finally!

A local guy years ago decided to have his truck built up by Waller. Truck was at his place for almost 3yrs, 8 thousand later the truck was dropped off back to Texas unfinished at the convenience of being deliverd. No battery, no air intake.

Freshly rebuilt motor, right side head gasket not installed properly, coolant in oil.

Trans had the Waller recipe done with the motor and was taken apart following a front pump leak. Pump body was trash, Sunshell not installed correctly. Nothing fancy for parts, reaction gear garbage and reinstalled. Never even changed the bushing.

Brake calipers replaced and didn't bleed brakes, twisted caliper hose rubbing upper control arm from not installing caliper correctly. Much more, I could go on.

I'll never forget that Ty, owner is happy now. Waller never returned calls. His work lacks quality, even more so being correctly done. I'd rather have Mickey Mouse work on my SyTy.
 

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

And here I though I was going to have a nice thread to document the transmission/turbo replacement/rebuild for future reference. :)
 

AUSyTyIN

Unbusted $#it box
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

My point was that tranny builders who aren't known in the community are commonly associated with premature failures. I bought #0014 with a recently rebuilt trans. The previous owner bought all of the correct parts, and hand delivered them to his local community college where the assembly was overseen by a transmission instructor. I had my doubts (especially since the trans pump was broken when I bought it), but I gave it a shot. It didn't make 1000 miles of easy driving. There are tons of stories out there like this.

I know the 700 isn't special, and it baffles me that they fail so often when rebuilt by ____, but it's the truth.
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

I have heard plenty on failure stories from transmissions built by the so called experts. Maybe not quite as often is the ones built by others. But pretty darn close.

I have a friend that builds transmissions in his garage. I bought all the good parts and he rebuilt my transmission for $300. I have probably 4k miles on it. And it has been great so far. And It has had to deal with quite a bit of power.
 

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

My guy is a small shop here in Santa Rosa. Built back in Jan '09. It literally has hundreds of passes on it. Shifts like it was built yesterday. I would recommend him. No he didn't pay for this ad. :rotf:
 

cloneman315

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

As I would expect Dave thinks that I don't know what I am talking about and sends a worthless pm to tell me this go figure.. He tells me that I don't even put my own ATF in there... And I don't because I use john deere fluid....Your right Dave I know nothing....Back to the regularly scheduled program....
 

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

I'm confident about the builder I chose. 3yr/50k warranty makes me believe they are confident in what they do. I have to rebuild the prop shaft. Anybody in Texas has a bravada piece they want to send my way?? I've been scouring the local junk yards for a year or so and no luck yet.
 

AUSyTyIN

Unbusted $#it box
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

I'm confident about the builder I chose. 3yr/50k warranty makes me believe they are confident in what they do. I have to rebuild the prop shaft. Anybody in Texas has a bravada piece they want to send my way?? I've been scouring the local junk yards for a year or so and no luck yet.

I hope you don't take my and Cloneman's reluctance towards rebuilt trans negatively towards you. I sincerely hope that your trans is great, and lasts you many years. Definitely keep us posted :cool:
 

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

I reinstalled mine by myself also. 2 floor jacks. One form each side. Spooky. Came close to loosing it once. Patience and determination won out. :lol:
 

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

Friday, I got some stuff done...Transmission all buttoned up, turbo all buttoned up, New distributor is in. Took radiator out to get it flushed. Instead, I am replacing it.
1417266410.jpg



1417266598.jpg

Distributor bolt gave me some grief. Talk about over thinking it. This thing was hitting fuel line on the way out, Ugh!
1417236320.jpg

Replaced it with a short one...
1417236354.jpg


Can anybody shed some light on these hieroglyphics on the firewall??

"SYC 943" below, that It reads "19"

1417236300.jpg
 
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JSPsyclone

Donating Member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

I have had 2 - 700R4 Phoenix transmissions in trucks I've owned before. They were not in a Syclone but in some chevy trucks with pretty potent crate engines. They are a top notch trans. Never any problems and wouldn't buy any other. Don't listen to anyone else. If I had to get another trans for my sy for some reason I would get one from Phoenix for sure.
 

Norm

Donating Member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

why did you change the distributor bolt for a shorter one? Trying to save weight? All you have to do is loosen it and then slide the bracket back to get the distributor out.
 

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

why did you change the distributor bolt for a shorter one? Trying to save weight? All you have to do is loosen it and then slide the bracket back to get the distributor out.

I saw that after I took it out. Saw the oval hole on the clamp. Saw the clamp slide back. Took picture, then took bolt out before looking at picture. Now I know.
Same goes for the dude who installed that bolt rated for 10'000psi where only a few psi is needed. LOL
Also, that is a 12mm bolt and I own a 1/2 -9/16 distributor wrench. Short bolt is 9/16 and fits perfectly.

It is fixed to my liking now.
 
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Static

Member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!


A word on that distributor, friend of mine is using that distributor and his pickup became loose causing it to come in contact. His truck has had a problem and wont run right ever since this has happened, even with a stock distributor. So I would double check yours and if in doubt use some locktite.
 

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

A word on that distributor, friend of mine is using that distributor and his pickup became loose causing it to come in contact. His truck has had a problem and wont run right ever since this has happened, even with a stock distributor. So I would double check yours and if in doubt use some locktite.

Thank you. I will address that before it's fired up.
 

IGottaSy

Active member

IGottaSy

Active member
Re: Transmission is out today, finally!

Another little detail... its WAS on there tight. That is the dipstick tube.

IMG_20141206_150535.jpg
 
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