Rebuild, or replace

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Hmm... He said TH200, which, as aforementioned, belongs in the trash. If it was a 200-4R, that's different. That's weird, though. Neither of those came in these trucks. I like the idea of keeping the 250, and you can definitely get more out of it if it still exists in its stock form, but a 350/700R4 combo would really change the truck positively, and it'd still be a great daily driver.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Neither am I in a truck really, a 292 would be a good one they have tons of torque for a truck. If it were mine though, I'd be putting a big block in it..

Oh hell yeah.....but I love me a big block.

 

[Polyphemus287]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

So it seems the 350 wouldn't be too difficult to swap in the engine bay, but really I guess its about engine/ transmission compatibility if I go the 350 route.

Honestly, I am having some trouble identifying the transmission in this thing. It has a 16 bolt pan. And it takes this filter: https://cobratransmission.com/filter-kit-gm-200-4r-2012-1?gclid=CNv48u-NmNQCFZCPswodedQFYA

BUT, that is definitely not the pan gasket. The pan gasket is pretty much rectangular. This maybe a noob question, but I just don't understand how the filter be correct but the pan gasket different. I ran into this problem when I changed the trans fluid when I first got the truck. Any insight would be helpful.

Also, I do like my little six in terms of gas mileage, it will do around 19- 20 on highway. Even in its weakend state she is a pretty good engine if you just need torque. I will most likely stick with the six if I have to get a whole new transmission for the 350.

 

[Polyphemus287]

Also, I'd love a big block, but its just too much money right now.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Oh hell yeah.....but I love me a big block.

Only way to fly.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

So it seems the 350 wouldn't be too difficult to swap in the engine bay, but really I guess its about engine/ transmission compatibility if I go the 350 route.

Honestly, I am having some trouble identifying the transmission in this thing. It has a 16 bolt pan. And it takes this filter: https://cobratransmission.com/filter-kit-gm-200-4r-2012-1?gclid=CNv48u-NmNQCFZCPswodedQFYA

BUT, that is definitely not the pan gasket. The pan gasket is pretty much rectangular. This maybe a noob question, but I just don't understand how the filter be correct but the pan gasket different. I ran into this problem when I changed the trans fluid when I first got the truck. Any insight would be helpful.

Also, I do like my little six in terms of gas mileage, it will do around 19- 20 on highway. Even in its weakend state she is a pretty good engine if you just need torque. I will most likely stick with the six if I have to get a whole new transmission for the 350.

Top right pics are the difference between the metric 200 and the 200R4.

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[Polyphemus287]

It is looking like 700R4 to me. It also looks like it takes the same filter as the 2004r. I pulled these number off the side of the transmission: 4MC213D. Any way to decode a trans ID number? I've googled some Trans ID decoder etc. but nothing is really definitive.

Is the 700r4 a good trans and could I use it with a 350? Would the bellhousing mate up?

Thanks again guys!

 

[Honky Kong jr]

It is looking like 700R4 to me. It also looks like it takes the same filter as the 2004r. I pulled these number off the side of the transmission: 4MC213D. Any way to decode a trans ID number? I've googled some Trans ID decoder etc. but nothing is really definitive.

Is the 700r4 a good trans and could I use it with a 350? Would the bellhousing mate up?

Thanks again guys!

The 700r4 came on the back of V8s too. And yes. My 87 was 350 and 700r4. WAS.lol

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The 700R4 pan is very square unlike a 200-4R pan. It's generally accepted that a 700R4 made between 1987-1992 is a good transmission. '82-'86 is generally accepted as a piece of crap unless previously upgraded. I will say, though, my Caprice has an unrebuilt 700R4 with over 250,000 miles on it, and it still shifts as smooth as butter. I would guess that yours is a 1984 since the code is prefaced with '4' so meh. If that's the case, I'd rebuild it and beef it up with a better sunshell and a shift correction kit or find a late model core to rebuild.

 

[74 Shortbed]

It is looking like 700R4 to me. It also looks like it takes the same filter as the 2004r. I pulled these number off the side of the transmission: 4MC213D. Any way to decode a trans ID number? I've googled some Trans ID decoder etc. but nothing is really definitive.

Is the 700r4 a good trans and could I use it with a 350? Would the bellhousing mate up?

Thanks again guys!

Filter goes on the same way but not quite the same shape, post a pic of the pan if you can. The 700R4 is a good trans and bolts right up, you have to move the crossmember back a couple inches and shorten the driveshaft. And if you do have a 200R then you're already setup for the TV cable.

 

[Polyphemus287]

Unfortunately, I can't post a picture right now, as I am away from the vehicle. But I will try to do so as soon as possible. However, I am quite certain at this point it is the 700r4.

74 shortbed, do you have any experience swapping heads on the 250? Will any chevy inline 6 head (194, 250, 292) bolt onto an integrated head block? Any difference in the headgaskets used?

 

[74 Shortbed]

74 shortbed, do you have any experience swapping heads on the 250? Will any chevy inline 6 head (194, 250, 292) bolt onto an integrated head block? Any difference in the headgaskets used?

I've swapped them up to late 70's and it's all the same, don't see why the 80's would be different. Only thing "if it's a concern" would be the thickness for compression, if you wanted to keep it the same you would have to compare chamber sizes and use a thicker or thinner to compensate, I've never bothered with that since I always wanted to up the comp anyways, so I used a 194 head and the thinnest gasket I could get by with.

 

[yevgenievich]

I will go ahead and mentioned the $1000 4.8/4l60e pullout here. Add $600 for supporting modifications

 

[Polyphemus287]

74 shortbed, thanks for the info, it is much appreciated. What year/models did the 194 six come in? I may be able to source a reman 194 head for cheap via my Job.

Yev, while the 4.8 would be a sweet setup, I think it would be a little too much for my daliy driver, and a little above means at this time.

Also, I messed about today and pulled the trans. It looks like 700 to me. Here are some pictures:

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You must be registered for see images attach

 

[74 Shortbed]

That is a 700 but if it's an 83 you're better off sending it down the road and getting an 87 and newer.. The 194 was made from 62-67 and they all had the same head. If you plan on playing around with the IL6 you might want to get this book, it is the "bible" it has all the information you would ever need for the IL6, worth every penny of it..

https://www.ebay.com/p/Chevrolet-Inline-Six-Cylinder-by-Leo-Santucci-2011-Paperback/71798843