4R70W Torque Converter Drain Plug

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Mar 28, 2019 | 01:03 PM

2000E150

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4R70W Torque Converter Drain Plug

Hello,

Does anyone know if all 4R70 torque converters have drain plugs ? I have a 2000 E150 5.4 and have tried several times to use the starter to rotate the converter and locate the drain plug. I have made sure the rotation increments are small, but still have never had the plug appear within the plug access opening.

Thanks for your help.

Jason.

Mar 28, 2019 | 06:20 PM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

A 2000 4R70W left the factory with a drain plug in the torque converter.

Get a socket to fit the hex inside the pulley on the front of the crankshaft. You can turn the engine by hand while watching the torque converter.

Mar 28, 2019 | 08:31 PM

2000E150

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Thanks for the reply Mark. I did try that approach but had no success moving the crank. I'm only on ramps - no lift, so leverage is limited. I may try to remove the serp belt to lose some of the drag and try that again. Should I have any concerns that I would torque the crank pully nut tighter than the torque spec it was put on with, if the compression does not let me move the crank ?

Thanks.
Jason

Mar 29, 2019 | 04:31 AM

JWA

Fleet Owner

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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

If you're draining the TC to do a full fluid exchange aka "flush" as Mark so well details in his excellent article found here on FTE: Mark's Full Flush Article It works perfectly BTW!

Mar 29, 2019 | 01:27 PM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,725

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000E150

You need a longer wrench. I've turned a 7.3L diesel with this method and it has a lot more compression than any engine connected to a 4R70W. Don't worry about over torquing. That isn't going to happen.

Mar 31, 2019 | 09:31 PM

2000E150

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JWA thanks for responding and providing that great link. That would have been much easier, will definitely utilize for the next change.

Mark thanks for the reply and sharing your expertise - extremely helpful, generous, and much appreciated.

One last question - when the plug is tightened should the head go all the way to the TC ? I thought when I extracted it the head was flush against the TC, but will not go that far now before it's tight and I hit the 7 ft lbs. I did see some pics on the web showing a gap between the two. I know some of these plugs are self tapping and threads are not the same once removed.

What a great site !

Thanks again.
Jason