I retract my endorsement

[RF Overlord]

In previous threads, I have on a number of occasions recommended the use of the B&M universal drain plug kit for those who wished a less expensive alternative to replacing the transmission pan. In light of my experience installing one on a friend's truck this past weekend, I no longer recommend using the B&M drain plug.

It leaks. Repeated attempts at correcting it only resulted in aggravating both the leak and our tempers. I would have chalked it up to a single defective example, but the truck's owner, a member of an F150 forum, received numerous responses to his post asking if anyone else had experienced problems using the B&M drain plug, most of which said something like: "Been there. Done that. Buy the Ford pan." So buy the Ford pan we did...I'm installing it for him this weekend.

[jimlam56]

Thanks for the info.
I was going to by a B&M plug, but will order the trans pan instead.
I hate leaks...

[Marauder2005]

Very good to know, thanks for the heads up! :2thumbs:

[Shora]

Good real life info. Thanks.:D

[rocknrod]

Wow, how good is this! Thanks! I was about ot make That happen.
Good Heads UP.

[MitchB]

I drilled a 1/2 hole and tack welded a castellated nut inside the pan. Works as well as the factory pan with minimal cost. Uses a conventional 1/2" drain plug and gasket.

Mitch

[RF Overlord]

Mitch, that's pretty much what the factory does and I've heard of others doing just that. Unfortunately, many of us have no access to welding equipment and/or, like me, very little experience using it.

For those who wish to go with the factory pan, here's the Ford p/n again: F8UZ-7A194-AA. List price is about $96, but if you've made friends with your local dealer's parts department, it can be had for just under $75.

[O's Fan Rich]

Mitch, that's pretty much what the factory does and I've heard of others doing just that. Unfortunately, many of us have no access to welding equipment and/or, like me, very little experience using it.

For those who wish to go with the factory pan, here's the Ford p/n again: F8UZ-7A194-AA. List price is about $96, but if you've made friends with your local dealer's parts department, it can be had for just under $75.

Is that a steel pan RF? If so is there a standard depth aluminum available?

[Hotrauder]

I could be wrong but I think I paid DR about $48 for the Art Carr pan that carries extra capacity and is ribbed for better cooling (?) and has a drain plug. Aluminum, yes but it looks nice up there between the pipes headed into the X. Who knows it may even cool better. Dennis:beer:

[RF Overlord]

Is that a steel pan RF? If so is there a standard depth aluminum available?It is stamped steel, identical in every way to the one on the car now, but has a factory-installed drain plug. I'm not aware of any aluminium offering from the factory. Maybe the FRPP catalogue has something for Mustangs...

[baltimoremm]

The Art Carr pan (part 10501) is 173+shipping (I called today)
What other alternatives are out there that you guys are using?

[GreekGod]

About 30-35 years ago the auto-trans man at the Ford dealer I worked at said that the pan should be dropped to inspect the debris and change the filter (in a C6). Even if we don't have a filter to change in our 4R70W/4R75W, it still makes sense to drop the pan to have a look around. If the pan is carefully lowered while leaving one loosened bolt in, a large catch pan should prevent a mess.

[gdmjoe]

GreekGod ...If the pan is carefully lowered while leaving one loosened bolt in, a large catch pan should prevent a mess.
Works best if you leave at least 2 front bolts loose (that way the pan won't rotate to the side on ya). Have the catch pan ready and you may have to tap the pan with (say) a rubber mallet.

[RF Overlord]

Even if we don't have a filter to change in our 4R70W/4R75W, it still makes sense to drop the pan to have a look around.But we DO have a filter to change...

[fastblackmerc]

Yes, there is a filter in there to change.

[DarthMarauder]

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalog OEM&siteid=213787


Here is that part number for less than $75. I may think about picking one of these up when the tax man delivers my check.

[KillJoy]

http://www.parts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalog OEM&siteid=213787


Here is that part number for less than $75. I may think about picking one of these up when the tax man delivers my check.

Linky No Worky

KillJoy

[GreekGod]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=2><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=titletext style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Maintenance & lubrication , Transmission ,Automatic transmission ,Filter </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid" vAlign=top noWrap width=150><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><FORM name=search onsubmit="return chkForm();" action=index.cfm?action=getLoc atorKeySearch&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&catalogid=1&year=2003&make=23&model=Marauder method=post><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=middle>2003 Mercury Marauder (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=selectCatalog YearMakeModel&siteid=213787&year=2003&make=23&catalogid=1) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" noWrap> Alternator (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=4&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Automatic transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=15&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Body hardware (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=25&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Brakes (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=18&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Cooling system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=8&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Electrical (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=3&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Emission system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=2&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Engine (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=10&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Exhaust system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=7&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Front suspension (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=19&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Fuel system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=6&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Hvac (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=9&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Maintenance & lubrication (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Engine service (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10020&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Automatic transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Filter (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&componentid=60556&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Pan gasket (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&componentid=61242&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Rear suspension (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=24&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Starter (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=5&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Steering (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=21&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Steering column (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=22&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Universals & rear axle (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=23&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double">
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" align=middle>Keyword or Part Number
<INPUT class=textbox style="WIDTH: 92%" maxLength=50 name=searchText>
<INPUT type=submit value=Search> </TD></TR></FORM></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid" vAlign=top width="90%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double">Description</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" align=middle>Year</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>MSRP Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>Core Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>Your Price</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top>FILTER, All Models, AOD-E/4R70W</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>96-06 </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$31.11</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right> </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$23.33 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" colSpan=5><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext>Includes: Pan Gasket & Filter. </TD><TD class=tabletext noWrap></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[GreekGod]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=2><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=titletext width="20%">Mechanical Catalog </TD><TD class=titletext style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Maintenance & lubrication , Transmission ,Automatic transmission ,Pan gasket </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid" vAlign=top noWrap width=150><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><FORM name=search onsubmit="return chkForm();" action=index.cfm?action=getLoc atorKeySearch&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&catalogid=1&year=2003&make=23&model=Marauder method=post><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=middle>2003 Mercury Marauder (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=selectCatalog YearMakeModel&siteid=213787&year=2003&make=23&catalogid=1) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" noWrap> Alternator (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=4&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Automatic transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=15&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Body hardware (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=25&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Brakes (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=18&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Cooling system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=8&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Electrical (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=3&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Emission system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=2&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Engine (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=10&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Exhaust system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=7&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Front suspension (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=19&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Fuel system (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=6&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Hvac (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=9&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Maintenance & lubrication (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Engine service (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10020&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Automatic transmission (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Filter (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&componentid=60556&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap bgColor=#eeeeee> Pan gasket (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=1&groupid=10059&subgroupid=20013&componentid=61242&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Rear suspension (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=24&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Starter (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=5&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Steering (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=21&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Steering column (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=22&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext noWrap> Universals & rear axle (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2FV0&appSectionid=23&make=23&model=Marauder&year=2003&catalogid=1) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double">
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double; BORDER-LEFT: #330099 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" align=middle>Keyword or Part Number
<INPUT class=textbox style="WIDTH: 92%" maxLength=50 name=searchText>
<INPUT type=submit value=Search> </TD></TR></FORM></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #330099 1px solid" vAlign=top width="90%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double">Description</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" align=middle>Year</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>MSRP Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>Core Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" noWrap align=right>Your Price</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top>PAN GASKET, All Models</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>92-06 </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$14.92</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right> </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #330099 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$11.19 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #330099 4px double" colSpan=5><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext></TD><TD class=tabletext noWrap></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[KillJoy]

Hmmmm...must just be my computer the :(

KillJoy

[DarthMarauder]

yea the link actually just goes to the site for ford parts just copy and paste the part# that RF gave and the pan will pop up be sure to pick ford as your manufacturer wont work as Mercury.