Deep trans pans & K10 front driveline?

[SilverMiner]

Well, here's a question I should have asked BEFORE I went crazy ordering stuff from Summit:

I bought one of these "deep" TH350 pans http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-14200, but now that I'm in the process of removing the old transmission I realize that even in stock configuration the front driveline gets pretty darn close to the trans pan.

So, should I install the new deep pan and see how things work out? Has anyone had prior experience using deep pans with a K10? I was looking forward to having a ready-made port to attach my temp send to instead of the hokey in-line compromise I've been using.

Thanks for the input,

Silverminer

[RedRoad]

Funny, I just installed the B&M 3 qt aluminum deep sump on my K20 (350/350/205) this afternoon and it is CLOSE! I was worried about the balancing weight but luckily it was closer to the CV and not an issue.


Im sure if I lose a u joint its going to take out the sump.

[special-K]

I'd have to rethink on one of these if it's a close fit. I always loved the idea of higher capacity finned aluminum pan covers. Nothing screams performance like valve covers, diff covers, oil, or trans pans in finned aluminum. The fact is, the stock tin in all these areas does a great job and you won't see any benefit outside of good looks. That's cool, but if it means risking losing your juice, not cool. I had all that stuff on a '71 Blazer and never had breakage issues. It had 4" lift springs, seemed like plenty of room

[RedRoad]

with a lift there is no issue. Since I will be putting in a 2.5 soon Im not too worried about it.

[72_K10_Vegas]

I also am doing the frame off and this came up when I swapped in the 700R4 for the SM465. I did the ORD 2.5" lift and as of right now I just have the cab back on. It is real tight at the CV. I am going to finish installing bed, front clip, fenders etc. to see what my final perch is then install the front driveline. I am keeping the stock pan but adding the Hughes transmission cooler which will keep temps at the 140-150 without the deeper pan. I looked extensively here on the site and have seen solutions from dinging the pan all the way to removing, inverting and re-welding the corner of the pan where it has a conflict. Another solution from a driveline shop here in Vegas was to have the CV turned. I want to keep the geometry and install as close to stock as possible, so time will tell.

[Bigdav160]

I had no problem with my stock 700 pan. Probably 1/4 inch of clearance. I bough an aluminum pan. I was a no go mostly because of the thickness, not depth

[dieseldawg142]

derale pans are excellent pans. i've had a derale deep sump on my crew for close to 10yrs. i tow & haul alot, & they actually do cool your fluid down.
as for clearance, cant really help you.
i got tons of room on all sides, but i got a BB/ T400 with a 8"lift...

[BLAZERMAN]

I ran a B&M deep pan on my TH350 in my old Longstep 4x4 for over 12 years with no problems. Sorry for not having a better pic but there was plenty of clearance.

[chevy71super]

I have one on my k10 short bed without issues - before and after 2.5 inch lift.

[SilverMiner]

Just an update for those who might find this thread in a search:

I have installed the transmission with the Derale pan identified in my first post, and it works great. HOWEVER, there is an interference issue with the front driveshaft, but not due to the depth of the pan as I thought. The depth of the pan causes no problems at all. The problem is due solely to the location of the tranny oil temperature bung. I installed an AutoMeter electric gauge to keep a close eye on things, but the sending unit prevents the front driveshaft from being installed. This is very disappointing. I don't know if there are shorter electric gauge sending units available, but it doesn't really matter because I've already sunk the bucks into the AutoMeter gauge. A mechanical sending unit would be orders of magnitude worse.

I have considered moving the sending unit to the drain hole, but I don't like the idea of having it being the lowest point on the pan of a 4x4 that sees actual use. Long term I intend to install a new sending unit bung on the forward rail of the pan instead of the short section it is now on and also notify Derale of the problem. I'd be surprised if I'm the first one to have this problem.