Why isn't there a trans drain plug? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 04-12-2005, 10:09 AM

I just finished changing the trans fluid in my '76 Sierra Grande. I HATE THAT JOB. No matter how careful I am, I still get fluid on the floor and on me. To make matters worse, I can hardly loosen the two bolts that are blocked with the trans cross member. Please don't question my loyalty to "the General" or anything, but for goodness sake, why don't they install a drain plug in the trans pan? My TH350 pan even has a recess on the side where the plug could be installed and also be safe from road damage.

Thanks for reading my rant. Please join me.

79Silv4x4 · 04-12-2005, 10:27 AM

Just put one in--I put one in all of mine.

Gray Ghost · 04-12-2005, 11:16 AM

Not sure, but it would be nice to have one. I am going to have one installed in any furture tranny I have rebuilt or replaced. I don't like Dextron Showers!!

bodydropped · 04-12-2005, 12:12 PM

i know a factory 2 spd glide has one i would install my own

8t5Silverado · 04-12-2005, 12:58 PM

Whatcha selling? Where you located?

*1FaastC10* · 04-12-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8t5Silverado

Whatcha selling? Where you located?

i dont see a price either

***Liz*** · 04-12-2005, 04:31 PM

............

Greenlee · 04-12-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Silv4x4

Just put one in--I put one in all of mine.

Man, I'd like to have a drain plug in the transmission. How do you do it?

I'm guessing you would have to drill a hole in the pan and weld a nut to it.

*ZmOz* · 04-12-2005, 04:59 PM

You can get a brand new chrome pan on ebay with a drain plug for about $16...

Greenlee · 04-12-2005, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZmOz

You can get a brand new chrome pan on ebay with a drain plug for about $16...

Thanks for the tip! They also have aluminum pans on there for about $45 with shipping. Is there any advantage to the aluminum pans?

It looks like the chrome pans are deeper and hold about 2 additional quarts of transmission fluid.

longhorn71 · 04-12-2005, 10:50 PM

There were a few that had drain plugs from the factory.Justpulled one off a wrecked trans for the blazer

dswancutt · 04-12-2005, 11:21 PM

I agree with ZmOz, if you search eBay, you can find chrome pans both standard and extra deep for the same price. The pair I bought have been really good quality for a import part. I was told by a transmission guy to lightly scuff the mating area to get a better seal.

Doug

jeffbo · 04-13-2005, 02:08 AM

My '72 had a factory drain plug in the pan, but when I took it to a tranny shop to have it worked on a few years ago, they put a different pan back on it that didn't have a drain plug. I of course didn't notice this for a few months, so there was no chance of getting my original pan back.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 04-13-2005, 02:10 AM

Yeah, I would just install one because they did not come with one.
Can find pretty decent ones on fleabay for pretty cheap.
-Later

KShortell · 04-13-2005, 11:50 AM

The cleanest way to change the tranny fluid and filter is to first drain the pan using a drill-mounted pump (less than $15), then drop the pan and change the filter. It sure beats having fluid all over or running up your arm. Plus, there's less chance of bending the pan flange this way.

You learn the neatest tricks from boat maintenance.

Ric83 · 04-13-2005, 02:24 PM

Mine already has one on it. I found out after a I changed the oil in my engine (or so I thought) and my truck wouldn't move.

Aparrently, the engine does not like running on 10 quarts of oil.

Things went bad pretty quick.

04-12-2005, 10:09 AM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Why isn't there a trans drain plug? I just finished changing the trans fluid in my '76 Sierra Grande. I HATE THAT JOB. No matter how careful I am, I still get fluid on the floor and on me. To make matters worse, I can hardly loosen the two bolts that are blocked with the trans cross member. Please don't question my loyalty to "the General" or anything, but for goodness sake, why don't they install a drain plug in the trans pan? My TH350 pan even has a recess on the side where the plug could be installed and also be safe from road damage. Thanks for reading my rant. Please join me. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-12-2005, 11:16 AM	#3
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Not sure, but it would be nice to have one. I am going to have one installed in any furture tranny I have rebuilt or replaced. I don't like Dextron Showers!! __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

04-12-2005, 12:12 PM	#4
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	i know a factory 2 spd glide has one i would install my own __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

04-12-2005, 12:58 PM	#5
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	Whatcha selling? Where you located? __________________ Always on the lookout for old cars and parts...(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/500339

04-13-2005, 02:08 AM	#13
jeffbo D.U.F. Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Huron/Brookings, SD Posts: 288	My '72 had a factory drain plug in the pan, but when I took it to a tranny shop to have it worked on a few years ago, they put a different pan back on it that didn't have a drain plug. I of course didn't notice this for a few months, so there was no chance of getting my original pan back. __________________ MEMBER OF THE DISCS UP FRONT CLUB '72 C-10 LWB Highlander, A/C, tilt TH350 w/ B&M shift kit, 327LJ bored .040", cast flattops, forged crank, L31 Vortecs, 9.25:1 CR, Comp conical valvesprings, Crane Energizer single pattern 216/.454", Professional Products Power Plus Crosswind intake, Edelbrock #1406 600cfm, HEI, dual exhaust, open 3.08 12bolt '68 C-10 4spd (not running) '79 C-10 LWB Mild 350 '80 Caprice Classic, 2-dr '97 GMC K-1500, SWB, Reg. Cab, Z-71, 5.7, Auto

04-12-2005, 10:27 AM	#2
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	Just put one in--I put one in all of mine.

04-12-2005, 04:31 PM	#7
*Liz* Catchy title goes here.. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rockwell, NC Posts: 39,767	............

04-12-2005, 04:59 PM	#9
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	You can get a brand new chrome pan on ebay with a drain plug for about $16...

04-12-2005, 10:50 PM	#11
longhorn71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CANADA Posts: 1,681	There were a few that had drain plugs from the factory.Justpulled one off a wrecked trans for the blazer

04-12-2005, 11:21 PM	#12
dswancutt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Franklin, NE Posts: 387	I agree with ZmOz, if you search eBay, you can find chrome pans both standard and extra deep for the same price. The pair I bought have been really good quality for a import part. I was told by a transmission guy to lightly scuff the mating area to get a better seal. Doug

04-13-2005, 02:10 AM	#14
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Yeah, I would just install one because they did not come with one. Can find pretty decent ones on fleabay for pretty cheap. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

04-13-2005, 11:50 AM	#15
KShortell Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 734	The cleanest way to change the tranny fluid and filter is to first drain the pan using a drill-mounted pump (less than $15), then drop the pan and change the filter. It sure beats having fluid all over or running up your arm. Plus, there's less chance of bending the pan flange this way. You learn the neatest tricks from boat maintenance. __________________ Semper Paratus

04-13-2005, 02:24 PM	#16
Ric83 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 824	Mine already has one on it. I found out after a I changed the oil in my engine (or so I thought) and my truck wouldn't move. Aparrently, the engine does not like running on 10 quarts of oil. Things went bad pretty quick. __________________ Ric '83 Silverado SWB Fleetside Here she is



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.