Well i got some normal Dexron Fluid. I didn't want to take a chance. So my question is, i know i need to drain the pan.. (have the filter and gasket kit) is there a way to drain the TorqueConverter aswell? I remmeber that there is a lot of fluid in the TC. Can it be drained on a TH350?

 

Anything short of pulling the converter off of the tranny won't get it as clean as you think it will. Around here there's a few lube and oil places that have this suction machine (I think they call it a t-tech) that they hook the the transmission lines. I don't know how well they work but there's too many lube shop horror stories to know for sure. My last torque converter was brand new as was the transmission so I had nothing to worry about at the time. When things get put back together i'll be sure to drain as much of the old fluid from the converter as I can and add fresh fluid.

 

You can not drain the convertor without removing it from the car.
I know some guys that have drilled a 3/16 hole in the outer rim of the convertor and let it drain. Then used a pop rivit to seal the hole back up. I wouldn't recomend it unless you feel it absolutly necessary to drain it.

 

Oh ok.. i will then just drain from the Pan :cool:

 

Jenny,
I don't know if this will work but........this is how a buddy changes his fluid every year.

You would need a helper---
Mark the inside of a large catch bucket with the TOTAL capacity of the T350
Disconnect the inlet line to the radiator, slip a lenght of hose over the line and put the other end in a large catch bucket. Have a funnel in the T350 fill tube and add fluid as it is being pumped out until the catch bucket is filled up to the line with "old fluid".

I'm sure that some old fluid would remain, but the great majority of the old stuff would be pumped out.

 

Um hold on a minute lets backtrack.. where exactly IS the drain plug? Maybe i'm retarded but i don't see one on the transmission pan. :confused:

 

Well you're not retarded, there is no drain plug on the 350 trans unless a previous owner installed one or you have a non stock pan. It's a messy job so try to take out the bolts so that it only partially comes off and tilts, then when the fluid drains a little slower you can take it all the way off. If you have the $$$ buy a nice aluminum pan with a drain plug on it.

 

As far as I know there are no drain plugs on automatic transmissions. What he is trying to say is to disconnect the transmission cooling line at the radiator. The automatic trans is connected in two spots to the radiator to cool the trans fluid through the built in trans cooler in the radiator. Then connect the hose and use new fluid to flush the trans.

Mark B.

 

I'm aware of the transmission cooler and it's hoses, since i replaced both not too long ago. What is the "Correct" procedure for draining the fluid? Per GM or whatever... :confused:

 

This is how I do it. Without a drain plug..you will need a large pan to catch all the fluid. I unbolt the pan leaving one bolt on three sides (your choice). Slowly loosen those left in a bit at a time while tipping the unbolted side of the pan down. Loosen the remaining bolts just enough to get the seal broken on the pan. Fluid will start to seep out if your lucky.. sometimes it will gush all over the place. Let it drain till it drips... loosen remaining bolts and drain the rest. It's messy... no doubt. Good Luck... :cheers: :cheers:
Eddie

 

Yah the way GM intended (if they intended them to be drained at all) was to drop the pan. It might be easier and cleaner if you drill a hole in then pan to drain it, then put on an aftermarket pan with a drain plug, or install a plug where you drilled a hole.

Rob

 

Ya'll are discussing two separate objectives...

1) Replace the filter (& fluid in the pan)
2) Replace all of the fluid in the torque converter and trans.

To replace the filter & pan fluid, you only need to drop the pan as described above... the "tilt" method.
To replace all of the fluid, you either need a machine specifically made for the purpose, or, you need to use the transmissions own internal pump (engine running) to pump out the old fluid into a container, while pouring fresh fluid into the dipstick tube.

Jen- Since I have your driveshaft in my shop.... better not start the engine. The rear of the tranny is open where the yoke goes in.
Plus... the neighbors won't appreciate and open exhaust 350 rattling their windows.

FYI... some torque converters DO have a drain plug installed from the factory. Ford is notorious for this. I believe the TH350's and TH400's do not have a drain plug in the factory torque converter. A drain plug in the pan does not affect the ability to drain the entire trans & converter. I.E.- A pan drain plug will not allow you to drain the entire trans & converter.... just the pan itself.... and even then, there will still be some residual fluid in the pan, as well as band sludge that needs to be removed manually by dropping the pan.




[Modified by Tom454, 10:26 AM 5/21/2002]

 

A quick question on this:
I drained mine last month. I left the pan off for 3 days & fluid was still dripping out. Does the converter slowly drain down of it's own accord?
Careful when the pan gasket breaks free - I got a Dexron II shampoo & ear flush, as the side I left the bolts in was the side that the gasket seal broke on. Great. (Tip - if you've got to ride a motorcycle after doing this, then borrow somebody else's crash helmet :lol: )
:cheers:

 

Yes, it does UKPaul. If you really want to drain it take off the coolant line and put a tube on it to a bucket. I'd also put something on both ends if you don't know which direction it's going. then just fire your motor. The tranny will be pretty dry in 20 seconds of idle speed. Then it only has a little in the pan.

Dextron???????????? I thought you were going to be out spinning the tires on the 1-2 shift. :cheers:

 

gkull,
Sounds good. Can I assume that draining it that way is OK as there is still enough lube over everything to prevent damage when the tranny is empty (as long as it isn't run any longer than needed)?
:confused: Does this mean that there is a better fluid to use? (Auto trannys are a Black Art to me, I just follow the manual). I've got to drop the pan again to fit a new solenoid (when it arrives) and, besides, my crash helmet could do with some "fresh" oil ;)
:cheers:

 

No need to drain the converter, wast of money. Just replace the filter and the trany fluid in the pan. Some guys drill a hole in the pan and add a drain plug, makes draining fluid a bit cleaner.

 

Make sure you have a pan or bucket that will hold 7 quarts when you drain or you will be wearing most of it. :troll