Transmision drain plug question

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Apr 3, 2005 | 04:55 PM

RPinNEB

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Transmision drain plug question

'91 AWD 81,000 miles. I'm starting my bumper to bumper PM campain with
a transmission fluid and filter change. The new filter is on and the pan cleaned
up. I am ready to drill the hole for the drain plug but I'm not sure where to put
the hole, there are a lot of things hanging below the gasket line. Can anybody
tell me where they drilled the hole? The differentials are next and then the
power steering flush. With the advice from the forum and a little luck I'm
hoping to avoid some of the major problems of aging of my beloved old
Aerostar.

Apr 3, 2005 | 10:57 PM

copper_90680

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From: Southern California

Just drill a hole at the lowest point on the pan. Then have a muffler shop BRAZE a nut on the OUSIDE of the pan, just so you don't interfere with anything internal. Then use a bolt with flared head and a copper washer as a gasket on this nut. Worked very well for me so far.

Apr 4, 2005 | 04:26 AM

RPinNEB

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Great Idea!

Thanks Copper_90680! I had purchased one of those cheap drain plugs at
the local parts shop but was surprised how far it would have intruded into
into the transmission. I was also concerned about that nut inside the pan.
Never would have thought to braze a nut on the outside, that does solve a
lot of problems. Thanks again!

Apr 4, 2005 | 10:34 AM

copper_90680

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From: Southern California

What I did was to drill a hole on the pan. Then you can put a bolt through from the inside and secure that nut on the outside to help keep it in place so the shop can braze it. After that, you can remove the bolt and put it in from the outside with a gasket. Yow may have to hacksaw off part of the bolt to make sure it does not protrude into the oil pan.

Apr 4, 2005 | 10:54 PM

Kruse

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Kansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPinNEB

With the pan off, take it and look at the underside of your transmission. Off to the side of the valve body there is plenty of room to put your drain plug. Don't worry about it protruding down too far. There is plenty of ground clearance. I've used B&M oil plugs, but there are knock-offs that are about half the price. These come with a white plastic washer that looks like Teflon, so you don't need to do any brazing on the pan, just drill a 1/2 hole in the pan. This is one of the cheapest ways to inrease the life of your tranny.
BTW, if you install one of these plugs on a car that doesn't have too much ground clearance, you can install these in the SIDE of the oil pan so that the plug sits horizontal. Just remember to drill your hole in an area that is flat (so that the plastic washer seals good) and in an area that doesn't interfere with the valve body or the internal shifting linkage.