Thinking I got everything covered on the work I am about to perform on the drive train this Saturday. I had to go to 3 different stores to get everything I think I needed to drop the Tranny pan than install a new 1.5 Quart Extra Capacity pan with a new filter on the TH350 Tranny. Also going to be pumping out the Rear Differential and refilling it.

Parts list includes

1 Chrome Plated 1.5 Quart Finned Extra Capacity TH350 Pan
1 Filter and Gasket Kit
2 Gallons of Valvoline Max Life Dexron/Mercon Transmission Fluid
3 Quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lubricant LS 75W-90
1 4 Oz Bottle of Limited Slip Diff additive

I am a Vavloline guy but also like the Mobil 1 Full Syn Products and could not find the Valoline Full Syn Gear oil at any local stores.

I am also going to install an additional Transmission Cooler in the near future and have been reading around to flush out all the old tranny fluid so it is mostly fresh is to drain it 3 times after about 100 miles of driving between each draining. Since it is hard to drain the Torque Converter all the forums I have read say drain it 3 times to get it as fresh as you can. On the 3rd Drain I will install the Tranny Cooler because it will add about another 1/2 of a quart to the capacity of the system.

If my transmission still runs hot this summer I will take it in for a rebuild next year. The 1977 Vette as far as I can tell only has about 44,000 miles on the car but you never know. Engine looks new still and nice blue engine paint, only one paint job on the body and interior is in awesome condition except for normal sun fade on the carpets then limited cracks in the door panels. I have a feeling this car sat doing nothing most of it's life and they did not properly maintain some aspects of the car.

 

Take a scotchbrite pad or sandpaper and rough up the trans pan rail. Past experience- the chrome is so slick the gasket won't stick to it and you have a leak. Not a bad one, but it will probably drip.

 

Thanks for the advice and I will do that. I have a rubber gasket instead of the older Cork type in my kit for the Filter replacement. With this rubber gasket I should not need a RTV sealent if properly installed.

I also know to use a 1/4 inch Torque Wrench and use about 60 inch pounds of torque then perform a every other or X pattern when torqueing it down on the 13 bolts. Work your way around the pan 3 or 4 times before you torque it down with a 1/4 inch socket or stubby 3/8 socket wrench then use the 1/4 inch torque wrench to complete it. Keep it even on torque and you will never have a leak.