Transmission pan torque specs?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, VA
Transmission pan torque specs?
I'm changing the tranny filter on my '96 van today and need to know if the pan bolts and the filter bolts need to be torqued to a specified ft-lb. I don't own a torque wrench but may be able to borrow one. TIA
Tim
1996 E150
1983 F150
Lynchburg, VA
Tim
1996 E150
1983 F150
Lynchburg, VA
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, VA
Finally got to the transmission filter change today. In the process of taking out the 17 bolts in the pan, one of them rung off in the transmission housing (oh joy). Will attempt to drill out and remove with an extractor. If that doesn't work I'll have to drill one step bigger and tap hole. Also, I found an odd object laying in the pan when I removed it. It's a little yellow plastic piece about an 1-1/4 long with a conical end with an O ring on it. The other end is a 3/16 shaft. I have no idea what it is or where it came from!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
That plastic piece is the dipstick tube factory plug. It is on the tube before it is installed into the tranny during assembly. When the dipstick is pushed in the first time it pushes the plug out to float harmlessly in the pan until the next fluid change. This means the fluid in your tranny has never been changed before. Maybe why one bolt broke off.
Be careful while torquing the bolts back into place. Some pan gaskets will squeeze out or cut under the bolts and give you a really good leak. Cork and rubber gaskets seem to do this most. The black "hard paperboard" like gaskets don't have as much problem with that.
If you are using a soft gasket you might want to "glue" it in place and go light on the torque while watching the gasket for bulging. If it bulges, back off a bit on torque and maybe use some gasket sealer on the bolt since it won't be torqued to spec.
Without a torque wrench, hand tight is more than enough. Don't go honking on the wrench.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Be careful while torquing the bolts back into place. Some pan gaskets will squeeze out or cut under the bolts and give you a really good leak. Cork and rubber gaskets seem to do this most. The black "hard paperboard" like gaskets don't have as much problem with that.
If you are using a soft gasket you might want to "glue" it in place and go light on the torque while watching the gasket for bulging. If it bulges, back off a bit on torque and maybe use some gasket sealer on the bolt since it won't be torqued to spec.
Without a torque wrench, hand tight is more than enough. Don't go honking on the wrench.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, VA
Thanks Jim. I was speculating that the plastic piece in question must have been dropped or pushed through the dipstick tube since it matches nothing else. 
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,538
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
One thing I've learned is that, once the bolt has made contact with the surface and is just a little bit snug, one 1/4 turn with a wrench or ratchet from that point is equivalent to about 14 ft-lbs. It's obviously not as accurate as a torque wrench, but it might work for you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Apocalypse
Excursion - King of SUVs
9
Aug 4, 2014 06:57 PM
