Help with gaskets !!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
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Help with gaskets !!!
I need a pan gasket for my trans. I don't know if ti is a R700 or not, it's stock I would guess. It is leaking really bad I have trans oil all under my car now and it is getting on the pipes and smoking also. Where to buy ????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
I'm am guessing you have a '92 automatic from your username. For future reference, it is preferable to list as much information about the vehicle in question as possible in the post, or at the minimum, in your profile. That way we don't have to ASSume so much.
If you have a '92 auto, you will have a 700R4 transmission. The gaskets are available from just about any parts shop - NAPA, AutoZone, AdvancedAuto, etc. Before I went out and bought a gasket, I would raise the vehicle and examine the exact source of the leak. It is possible that the pan gasket is not the source of the leak. The best way to check is to wipe everything dry and check again.
I hope you find it is your pan gasket or a bent pan, and not something larger, like a bad front pump seal which would require much more work.
If you find it is the pan gasket, remove the shift cable nuts and bolts, the two bolts that hold the shifter cable bracket and bolts into the pan (these will NOT have a flange and will be the two odd-***** of the 14 or so total transmission pan bolts). Use a hand pump (like the $4 one from Harbor Freight) and stick the tube down the transmission fluid fill tube and pump out as much fluid as possible. Then proceed to loosen the transmission pan bolts at an even rate, but leave either a couple of the rear or forwards bolts on so that you can have the pan coming out at an angle to make removing the remaining fluid easier. Then remove the pan, scrape off both mating surfaces (pan and transmission case) and check the pan for any dents. When I rebuilt my 700R4, I had a bent pan and it wasn't until after I filled the pan back up again with fluid that I realized this was causing a leak. Bought a new pan with a built-in drain plug and the problem was solved. You will also want to clean your magnet in the pan and replace within the confines of the pressed-in box on your pan (this is visible on the outside and inside of the stock pan).
As for the gasket itself, the cork ones can only be used once and all bolts must be tightened around at an equal pace so the compression of the gasket is acceptable. The other type is the kind available from brands such as Fel-Pro. The Fel-Pro gasket is only $5 or $6 and is one of the best. The third type of gasket is one you make yourself from gasket-maker material. Some of the most popular are called 'The Right-Stuff' from Permatex (widely available) and Gas-ga-cinch from Edelbrock (not as widely available). You squeeze these out of their tubes and follow the drying/application directions on the specific product. I personally used a Fel-Pro gasket and installed it first on the pan with a little vaseline to keep it in place. Be very careful to line up all the bolts holes in the gasket with the case/pan.
While you are there, you will want to change the filter. Remove the old one by pulling it out and make sure to also remove the orange o-ring that may be stuck in the bore in which the filter is inserted. Be very careful when removing that o-ring if it is stuck in the bore as you do not want ANY scratches in that bore of the pump. These filters are also available at most parts store as the 700R4 was used in other GM cars of that period, such as the camaro. In the filter kits, such as the one availabe from NAPA, a cork gasket may be included.
My experience is on a '91 which has a different exhaust system, but, IIRC, has the same auto transmission as the '92 and '93. You may find with your '92 (again this is assumed) that certain exhaust brackets or heat shields interfere with removing the pan. Have patience and you can do all this easily in one day.
Add 4-5 quarts to refill the pan and start the engine, making sure to check the level (the lower line on the stick is the true line) soon and for the next couple of days, adding as necessary.
Hope that helps,
Jonathan
If you have a '92 auto, you will have a 700R4 transmission. The gaskets are available from just about any parts shop - NAPA, AutoZone, AdvancedAuto, etc. Before I went out and bought a gasket, I would raise the vehicle and examine the exact source of the leak. It is possible that the pan gasket is not the source of the leak. The best way to check is to wipe everything dry and check again.
I hope you find it is your pan gasket or a bent pan, and not something larger, like a bad front pump seal which would require much more work.
If you find it is the pan gasket, remove the shift cable nuts and bolts, the two bolts that hold the shifter cable bracket and bolts into the pan (these will NOT have a flange and will be the two odd-***** of the 14 or so total transmission pan bolts). Use a hand pump (like the $4 one from Harbor Freight) and stick the tube down the transmission fluid fill tube and pump out as much fluid as possible. Then proceed to loosen the transmission pan bolts at an even rate, but leave either a couple of the rear or forwards bolts on so that you can have the pan coming out at an angle to make removing the remaining fluid easier. Then remove the pan, scrape off both mating surfaces (pan and transmission case) and check the pan for any dents. When I rebuilt my 700R4, I had a bent pan and it wasn't until after I filled the pan back up again with fluid that I realized this was causing a leak. Bought a new pan with a built-in drain plug and the problem was solved. You will also want to clean your magnet in the pan and replace within the confines of the pressed-in box on your pan (this is visible on the outside and inside of the stock pan).
As for the gasket itself, the cork ones can only be used once and all bolts must be tightened around at an equal pace so the compression of the gasket is acceptable. The other type is the kind available from brands such as Fel-Pro. The Fel-Pro gasket is only $5 or $6 and is one of the best. The third type of gasket is one you make yourself from gasket-maker material. Some of the most popular are called 'The Right-Stuff' from Permatex (widely available) and Gas-ga-cinch from Edelbrock (not as widely available). You squeeze these out of their tubes and follow the drying/application directions on the specific product. I personally used a Fel-Pro gasket and installed it first on the pan with a little vaseline to keep it in place. Be very careful to line up all the bolts holes in the gasket with the case/pan.
While you are there, you will want to change the filter. Remove the old one by pulling it out and make sure to also remove the orange o-ring that may be stuck in the bore in which the filter is inserted. Be very careful when removing that o-ring if it is stuck in the bore as you do not want ANY scratches in that bore of the pump. These filters are also available at most parts store as the 700R4 was used in other GM cars of that period, such as the camaro. In the filter kits, such as the one availabe from NAPA, a cork gasket may be included.
My experience is on a '91 which has a different exhaust system, but, IIRC, has the same auto transmission as the '92 and '93. You may find with your '92 (again this is assumed) that certain exhaust brackets or heat shields interfere with removing the pan. Have patience and you can do all this easily in one day.
Add 4-5 quarts to refill the pan and start the engine, making sure to check the level (the lower line on the stick is the true line) soon and for the next couple of days, adding as necessary.
Hope that helps,
Jonathan
Last edited by janarvae; Aug 17, 2008 at 12:27 AM.
