B&M 20261 SHIFT User Manual
Installation Instructions
Shift Improver Kit
for
1988 and Later TurboHydramatic 400
TH-400/TH-475 (3L80/3L80-HD)
Part No. 20261
©B&M Racing & Performance Products 1992
IMPORTANT MANUFACTURING
DATE CHECK: Hydramatic introduced
a revised transmission case just after
the beginning of the 1988 model year.
If you are installing the B&M TH-400
Shift Improver Kit in a 1988 vehicle
you must check the Julian date stamped
on the transmissions I.D. tag (See
Fig. 1) before attempting to install this
kit. Do not use this kit (#20261) in
transmissions built before November
23, 1987 (Julian date 327), use instead
our #20260 Shift Improver Kit which
is designed to be used with the earlier
style case. If the I.D. tag is unreadable
or missing you will have to remove the
oil pan and valve body from the transmission to determine if your transmission has an early or late style case
(See Fig. 2). The manufacturing date
check applies only to 1988 transmissions, this kit (#20261) will work correctly in all subsequent application
years specified in the heading of these
instructions.
We recommend that you read
through the instructions completely
before beginning the installation
so you can familiarize yourself with
the installation procedure and tools
required.
Check the tool list at the rear of
the instructions to make sure no
parts are missing and you have the
tools required to install your B&M
TH-400 Shift Improver Kit.
Installation of the B&M TH-400 Shift
Improver Kit can be accomplished by
anyone with minimum mechanical experience. It is however, important to
closely follow the instructions. Read
each step carefully before proceeding,
if you do not understand, go back and
read the step again. Installation of the
kit can be accomplished in several
hours.
NOTICE: The B&M TH-400 Shift Improver Kit is not a cure-all for an ailing
transmission. If your transmission is
slipping, chatters or is in poor general
shape, the installation of this Transpak
may worsen the condition. However on
a properly operating transmission in
average condition, the B&M TH-400
Shift Improver Kit will provide the kind
of transmission performance you are
looking for.
When installing your B&M TH-400
Shift Improver Kit there are several
other B&M performance products you
may wish to consider:
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER We
feel that it is very important that every
vehicle used in heavy duty and hi performance applications (racing, towing,
RV, etc.) should have an oil cooler.
Heat is the major cause of transmission failures, and an oil cooler is an
inexpensive safeguard against overheating and transmission failure. B&M
offers a wide variety of transmission
coolers to suit every application.
TRICK SHIFT PERFORMANCE ATF
#80259 Trick Shift performance auto-
matic transmission fluid is the industry’s only real performance ATF. A
specially blended oil with foam inhibitors, extreme pressure agents and
shift improvers, this fluid assures protection while delivering the fastest possible shifts. You literally “Pour in performance.”
DRAIN PLUG KIT #80250 The TH-400
transmission is not factory equipped
with a drain plug. The B&M Drain plug
kit is inexpensive and easy to install. It
eliminates the mess of pan removal
and gasket replacement normally required when changing fluid.
DEEP PAN #20289 B&M offers deep
pans for the TH-400 transmission that
provide 3 to 4 quarts additional oil
capacity which significantly contributes to the cooling ability of the oil. No
modifications to the dip stick are necessary and a fluid pickup extension is
provided.
TORQUE CONVERTERS B&M offers
a wide range of street torque convert-
Printed in U.S.A.
9500455-02
Transmission I.D.
Nameplate Location
JULIAN DATE
QU 000 A
88 QUA 0000
Model Year
88=1988
89=1989
90=1990
Figure 1
ers for the TH-400 transmission. See
your B&M dealer for details of the
correct torque converter for your vehicle.
ADJUSTABLE VACUUM MODULATOR #20234 This replacement vacuum
modulator for the TH-400 has the added
feature of being adjustable. The adjustable feature allows you to tailor your
shift points within a range of 2-4 mph.
Remove bolt to remove filter
Serial Number
A= TH-400/475
(3L80/3L80-HD)
The 1987 and earlier TH-400 has no checkball in this location and
must use Shift Improver Kit #20260. If you have a checkball in this
location, this kit (#20261) is the correct one.
Figure 2
FILTER SERVICE KIT #20287 The
filter service kit replaces the stock
factory filter with aspecial filter that
uses a a much finer felt micronic element which also has more total filter
area so that the finer filtering element
does not cut down on oil flow. This kit
includes a special heavy duty oil pickup
tube that is seated to the case with a
double O-ring seal and is spring loaded
to eliminate air leakage.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE KIT #80212
Most transmission and converter failures can be traced directly to excessive heat. The B&M transmission temperature gage can save you a costly
repair bill by warning you ahead of time
of an overheated transmission. The
B&M temperature gage is extremely
accurate and dependable, it comes
with all necessary hardware and is
easy to install.
B&M SHIFTERS; B&M manufactures
a complete line of automatic transmission shifters ideally suited for use with
the TH-400. These shifters provide you
with positive transmission control as
well as stylish appearance for your
vehicles interior.
TH-400 KICKDOWN SWITCH #20297
When installing a TH-400 transmission
in a custom installation in place of a
TH-350 or a TH-700 this kit provides a
kickdown switch that will fit into the TH350 or TH-700 throttle cable bracket.
Figure 3
INTRODUCTION
Transmission components are precision fit, work slowly and do not force
any parts. Burrs and dirt are the num-
Filter
2
ber one enemies of an automatic transmission. Cleanliness is very important,
so a clean work surface is necessary.
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