Trans Pan Replacement

[jimlam56]

Well, it's not going well. I am installing the E350 pan with drain plug, but failed to notice the round black thingy on the old pan. It's a MAGNET! I had removed the old pan with an inch or so of fluid in it, so I didn't notice it until I had buttoned up the new one. Fortunately I had not refilled the tranny (I guess you refill through the dipstick??) but this required me to completely remove the new pan to install the magnet. Upon reinstalling I CANNOT get the two bolts above the dreaded tranny crossmember to start, I am using a 10mm socket with an extension to reach up there, but no luck yet. Any suggestions? No lift available so its in the driveway on ramps.

[jgc61sr2002]

Make sure the rest of the pan bolts are loose and then start the other two by hand only. Once they are caught then tighten with wrench.
Never use a wrench to start a bolt. That's the way to strip the threads.
Good Luck.

[jimlam56]

Make sure the rest of the pan bolts are loose and then start the other two by hand only. Once they are caught then tighten with wrench.
Never use a wrench to start a bolt. That's the way to strip the threads.
Good Luck.

Sounds like you haven't done this yet bro. There is no way to start these two bolts by hand.

[crouse]

Is the magnet important? I didn't transfer the magnet from my factory pan to the aluminum pan. What holds the magnet in the aluminum pan?

[jimlam56]

Is the magnet important? I didn't transfer the magnet from my factory pan to the aluminum pan. What holds the magnet in the aluminum pan?

It's not aluminum. It's the E350 pan with drain plug, made of galvanized metal. The bolts in question are just above the transmission crossmember, making it impossible to get your hand in there. If I had to do it over, I would have lived without the magnet, as I had them in the first time.

[crouse]

Found this pic courtesy of jdando. Looks like the magnet is permanantely help in place by three tabs.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/closeupoflollipop.jpg

[jimlam56]

Not so. Those are merely guides.

[crouse]

Crap. Well maybe this summer I'll drop the pan and transfer the magnet.

BTW, I used an allen wrench with the rounded corners on the tip to carefully start those two bolts and then tighten them down. The cross member is a pita.

[finster101]

[quote=crouse;579360]Crap. Well maybe this summer I'll drop the pan and transfer the magnet.


If you have an aluminum pan you do not need to tranfere the magnet. Infact it will not stay anyhow.

[jonroe]

Crap. Well maybe this summer I'll drop the pan and transfer the magnet.

BTW, I used an allen wrench with the rounded corners on the tip to carefully start those two bolts and then tighten them down. The cross member is a pita.

Yes, I used a hand allen wrench only on these two. I got lucky and had no problem starting them.

[Marauderjack]

You don't NEED the magnet but it sure catches all the abrasive ferrous metal that wears off in the transmission and keeps it from circulating (grinding up) the gears and bearings!!!:shake:

I never knew how the magnet mounted in the aluminum pan....guess it doesn't??:cool: Maybe a magnetic drain plug is in order!!:beer:

Jim, I hope you got your magnet and pan back on??:confused: My bolts near the cross member aren't that hard to get to.:shake:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[jimlam56]

You don't NEED the magnet but it sure catches all the abrasive ferrous metal that wears off in the transmission and keeps it from circulating (grinding up) the gears and bearings!!!:shake:

I never knew how the magnet mounted in the aluminum pan....guess it doesn't??:cool: Maybe a magnetic drain plug is in order!!:beer:

Jim, I hope you got your magnet and pan back on??:confused: My bolts near the cross member aren't that hard to get to.:shake:

Marauderjack:burnout:

Done deal Jack; field tested at 120 mph...:D
Thanks for your advice, along with Jman, on the phone today!

[ImpalaSlayer]

no mean to hijack but is that a pic of the "lolly pop"

[crouse]

It's a plastic plug with an o-ring that is installed in the filler tube to keep dust & debris out on the transmission. When the transmission is installed in the car, the dip stick pushes the lolly pop into the pan where it rolls around harmlessly.

[ImpalaSlayer]

i just wanted to know what it looked like thanks

[safado]

I used a short 1/4 drive 10MM socket and extension.. Works good

[KillJoy]

I am going to epoxy the Mag in place into my new Trans Pan :D

KillJoy