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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 1984k30 on January 24, 2011, 03:00:19 pm

Title: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: 1984k30 on January 24, 2011, 03:00:19 pm
I am going to change my tranny fluid and filter and want to put a drain plug in.  I got one at my local parts store but am worried about it giving me problems.  My main concern is that it just has a o ring on the bolt you screw in. It does not have a stop and the more you tighten it the o ring will just crush maybe causing it to fail over time.  The bolt is not a pipe thread so I don't think teflon tape will help?  Anyone use one and not have a problem with it leaking.  I may just weld a nut to the pan and get a oil pan bolt and gasket and use that.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: jaredts on January 24, 2011, 03:54:35 pm
The o-ring should hit and collapse some small amount...like .030" and then the head or something else should bottom out.  If it truly does just crush the o-ring more and more its not properly designed.  There should be an oring groove in the nut piece to take up like 75% of the o-ring's thickness if I'm picturing it correctly.  I guess you could take an old oil pan and cut the sheet metal and weld it to yours.  I think there was a post recently somewhere on here with a link to a pan that had a drain plug.  Seems like it would be worth a few bucks to save you all the trouble.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: 1984k30 on January 24, 2011, 05:00:31 pm
I think the groove is what it needs.  I think I will take it to a friend of mine and him put it on his lathe and cut a groove in it. 
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: VileZambonie on January 24, 2011, 11:11:22 pm
They usually leak. What trans do you have? You'd be better off with an aftermarket pan.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: 1984k30 on January 24, 2011, 11:24:05 pm
It is a 4l60.  I seen b&m makes a pan but not sure I want to spend 200.00 on it right now.  I thought I could get away with a ten dollar drain plug kit but may not be worth it if it starts leaking and I end up having to buy another pan because I drilled a hole in mine.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: TexasRed on January 24, 2011, 11:49:52 pm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-378011/

that's just 2 min of searching. I didn't check to see if that's the cheapest.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: Layne on January 25, 2011, 01:11:18 am
My B&M 2in deeper pan leaks, so maybe a drain plug isn't a good idea. Unless mine is  bad...
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 25, 2011, 05:23:03 am
you can get the gasket thats on oil pan drain plugs for a couple cents at the auto store. and do what you said get a similar size bolt and nut weld the nut on and be done
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: VileZambonie on January 25, 2011, 09:59:05 pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330423628673&viewitem=
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: 1984k30 on January 25, 2011, 10:38:20 pm
Vile do you think that pan would be ok?  Seems like it would be china junk to me.  Seems like every one I ever talked to about cheap chrome engine oil pans always said they leaked but I'm up to giving it a shot.  Maybe the expensive ones are made in china too? Also what kind of gasket to you think is best to use.  cork, rubber, paper or garlock material.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: beastie_3 on January 25, 2011, 11:33:22 pm
i have one that is either summit or jegs brand, it is cast aluminum and has thick flanges to help against leaks. I like it and it has a drain plug.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: Dr_Snooz on January 26, 2011, 12:00:30 am
Why don't you just use a crush washer? I've tried orings before. They don't seal at all. As soon as a little heat builds up inside the case, it will push that oring right out of the way. A crush washer will work real well. Alternatively, you can just slather a normal washer up with some RTV. That also seems to work very well.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: VileZambonie on January 26, 2011, 08:16:53 pm
That was just a cheap one I would at least use an aluminum one like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-700R4-POLISHED-ALUMINUM-TRANSMISSION-PAN-8493-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cefa7c348QQitemZ330438263624QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: beastie_3 on January 26, 2011, 10:04:03 pm
Mine...http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-1008R/
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: bake74 on January 30, 2011, 01:19:32 am
     The pan in Beastie's link looks like it is done right and would not have any problems sealing.  looks stout too.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 30, 2011, 04:59:50 am
but 140 :o
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: VileZambonie on January 30, 2011, 08:42:10 am
I've actually used that $40 eBay aluminum pan. I never had an issue and it's actually really nice.
Title: Re: adding a transmission drain plug
Post by: beastie_3 on January 30, 2011, 01:05:24 pm


Im not saying other pans are worse. Im just giving a different option to the OP because 1. It has different features and 2. Ever said "I wish I saw that one instead"?