Turbo 35 C

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Rick Smith

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Hello, can someone tell me how this trans knows when to shift? is it the computer?

Thanks
 

Vbb199

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TH350c doesn't use a computer

It's governor speed that makes it shift


You fine tune swing weights and spring pressures to set your shift points.
 

Rick Smith

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Hello, there's two locations where a harness is plugged in do you know what they are for?

Thanks
 

Vbb199

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One is for torque converter lockup

It's a 12v input, controlled by a vacuum solenoid I assume.
When cruising in 4th, once it sees "x" engine vacuum it completes the circuit and locks up the converter

Drops the rpms about 3-400 and makes the transmission like a "straight thru" deal.



I assume the other one is at the tailshaft, correct ?

You said "there's two locations where a harness is plugged in"
So I assume you're referring to the 4 or 2 pun connector on the side of the case for converter lockup, and the second "plug" at the tailshaft housing that's for the speedometer cable...
Unless it's a 4x4 transmission with a transfer case, then it might have a reverse switch plug at the transfer case....?

What is this we're working on
 
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Rick Smith

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It’s a 86 short bed that I am putting a create motor in . I have to figure out how the trans harness gets hooked up.

Thanks
 

Rick Smith

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There’s a plug with three wires in a four pin plug on the drivers side and one two pins on the right side by the cooler lines!
 

Vbb199

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The 3 pin in the drivers side connector is for torque converter lockup

The plug over by the cooler lines could be a temp sensor someone installed aftermarket

Or-

It's a pressure switch thats part of a TCS (trans controlled spark) system that opens and closes a vacuum solenoid that advances or retards timing slightly. In 3rd gear.....

Kinda feel like you probably are not using that, so it's possible it's just an aftermarket temp sensor for a aftermarket gauge
 

Vbb199

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@Matt69olds
May have more input on the plug by the cooler lines, but the only other thing I could think would be like for a 2 step setup with a dump valve for a full manual VB..... but we have no pics lol

So it leaves us guessing, OP
 

Matt69olds

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I think the 350 trans was retired before the 86 model year, so if it’s in fact a 350 someone swapped it.

If the 2 pin connector looks like a oil pressure switch, it’s for the transmission controlled spark. Pretty sure you won’t be using that with your crate engine. Pull it out, thread in a 1/8 pipe plug, problem solved.

As for the converter switch, there are a couple ways to go about getting it to lock. Pull the pan, find the pressure switch for 3rd gear. You need to know if it’s shows a ground when it’s pressurized. Or, if your lazy and just want to buy the correct switch go to your nearest transmission shop and ask for a normally open pressure switch. In other words, the switch connects to ground once the trans goes into 3rd gear.

You will also need a 2 wire lockup solenoid. One wire of the solenoid will go to the pressure switch, the other wire to a activation switch. Since you have a 86 truck, with the headlight dimmer on the column, the cleanest switch would be to use a headlight dimmer switch. Use that to supply power to the solenoid. Turn on the switch, once the trans shifts into 3rd gear the converter will lock.

They are also aftermarket lockup controllers that include delay timers to delay lockup activation (gets rid of the 3rd gear/immediate lockup) vacuum switches (automatically unlocks the converter under heavy throttle) brake switches (gets rid of the jerky sensation when you get on the brakes and back on the throttle) it just depends on how fancy you want, and how much you want to spend.

All of this ASSUMES you have a 350. If it’s a 700, most of what I said applies, but you need to make absolutely sure the TV cable is installed and adjusted correctly if not, you will burn up the trans almost instantly. A TV cable is not the same as a 350 kickdown cable!!!
 

Rick Smith

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Hey guys i really believe it is a 350 C three speed trans. the truck hasn't had anything replaced it was all original until now. when you say 700 do you mean 700R4? This transmission does have a TV cable!

Thanks
 

Hunter79764

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You do need to know if it is the 700R4 or the TH350. Your gear indicator may help (does it show a circle around the "D"?), but probably the better way would be to look at the pan. Does it have a corner cut off? If so, that's a 350. If it's mostly square, it would be a 700.
The 350 uses a kickdown cable that attaches to the throttle, and can be safely left off with a few tweaks. The 700 uses a TV cable that CANNOT BE LEFT OFF, and will burn up the transmission in minutes if improperly adjusted. That needs to be nailed down first.
 

Bextreme04

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Hey guys i really believe it is a 350 C three speed trans. the truck hasn't had anything replaced it was all original until now. when you say 700 do you mean 700R4? This transmission does have a TV cable!

Thanks
I'm going to preface this comment by saying I don't mean this in a condescending way, but you obviously don't know enough about this truck to be asking for this advise without pictures. There are lots of people trying to give you good advise based on wild ass guesses based on a poor description. Please post pictures of the connectors you are talking about and one of the entire transmission pan from the bottom. That way we can definitively identify the transmission type and then give you, FOR SURE, good advise on how to proceed.
 

Grit dog

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Quick search says 1981 was the last year for the turbo350 in GM pickups.
 

85K304SPD

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A picture is worth 1000 words. Lots of knowledge on this site, just have to give them all the info. It doesn't sound like a TH350.
 

Vbb199

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Damn we're still on this?
 

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