How come they don't put a drain plug in the tranny pan like there is on the oil pan?
I dropped the tranny pan to drain it so I could change the filter (screen) and after 130,000 miles the screen is still as clean as a whistle.
The manual says to change the fluid every 25 months or 25,000
miles.
I realize that it's not a monumental task to drop the pan but considering that there are 17 bolts and a gasket to deal with
every time you think you're supposed to change the screen, (which may or mat not need to be changed), wouldn't it be simpler to just have a drain plug and drain about a gallon of fluid periodically?
The torque converter holds a gallon or so and it has a drain plug. If one were to drain the converter and pan (with plug) at the same time they wouldn't have to mess with the gasket or screen or anything.
1976 F150 XLT 390
C6 tranny 24.5 pints Type F fluid (3+ gallons)

 

You can buy a drain plug for about $5 - $7.00.
that's what I did to mine after I dropped the pan.
Makes life alot easier with you change fluid.



Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.

 

My personal opinion is the design engineers and dealers don't want you to change your own fluid. That's their job. They don't make money on new vehicle sales, they make it in their shop.

Take for instance: My old '86 van needed a turn signal flasher replaced. I spent hours looking for it. I finally had to pull the dash cover and instrument panel. The flasher is mounted under the speedometer, and above the steering column. There is no way to reach up under the dash to R&R it.

They could make it simple and mount it right next to the 4-way flasher, adjacent to the fuse box. But, that makes sense.


94 E-150 High Top Conversion Van 4.9/C-6
89 Mustang LX 5.0 - 5 speed

 

In their infinite wisdom, the engineers had to have some sort of reason for not including a drain plug. The only thing I can come up with is, since the filter is internally mounted in the transmission, the designers wanted it serviced/replaced at the same time as a fluid change. If there was a drain plug, the filter may never get replaced by the lazier mechanics. Nevertheless, it generally is a messy endeavor when changing the fluid without a drain plug.

 

It is messy and it is a pain but removing the tranny pan is vital to changing the fluid, when you removed your tranny pan uranus wasnt there a ton of silver colored sludge in the bottom of it ? what good would changing the fluid be if you just drained it left the sludge in there and refilled it ?

 

Otto - when I poured the old fluid out of the pan, the pan was very clean. No sludge, no nothin'. Just sprayed a little carb cleaner and wiped with a rag and it looked like brand new. John.

 

No drain plug huh? on newer chevy trucks they dont put a fill tube or dipstick on em either lol, tranny fluid designed to last life of truck

 

Ya, but that would still be 25,000 miles.

 

One problem with the drain plug kits that I have seen (and used) is that it requires a nut on the inside to hold it on. This means that about ¼-½ inch of fluid (the sludgy crap) will not get drained. If you could weld a fitting to the lowest point on the pan, then most of it would drain out. You could probably flush it through the drain hole with a can of carb cleaner and the straw if you wanted to. Another thing to coinsider is placing the welded drain fitting directly below the suction screen; that way you could check it's condition with a flashlight after the oil has drained out.

 

I got to give a big hell yeah on that one.

 

Uranus,

I just bought a C-6 pan from Summit racing - it has a cute little drain plug on it. When I get through blowing all the ch*vy's off the road, all I have to do is squirm up under there and drop the load on my gravel driveway (keeps the grass from growing there) every few months and pour in another 8 quarts (it's an extra deep pan).

Mark (also known as the laptop geek)

 

A few notes:

1. I don't think that screen does much good at all. I added an external Fram PF-8 oil filter in the line.

2. The screw together drain plugs leaks! Have it welded in next time it's off. I ruined a pan trying to weld it myself so now I have an extra capacity aluminum unit with a threaded drain plug/temp sensor.

3.I forget. Swallowed too much tranny fluid I guess.

1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything

 

Hi,

I was told by an old-time mechanic one time that back in the 50's-60's some time Jaguar designed a new transmission that they boasted was so bullet-proof that they didn't bother putting a drain plug on the tranny. After that, other manufactures followed suit.

Don't know if it's true, take it for what it is worth.

-Brents

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 31-May-01 AT 02:41 PM (EST)[/font][p]Some great ideas guys.

Laptop - I will look into that Summit pan on their website.
Also, great idea about grass/weed control. Reminds me of the days when I used to know a guy who would pour his old engine oil down the sewer. No fuss, no muss.

Beartracks - Just curious about where in the line you installed the PF-8? Also, slick idea about the temp sensor. Did you screw that into the bottom of the pan? Do you have a gauge mounted on the dash?

As for now, I just primed and sprayed the outside of the pan chrome.

John.