[MI2600]

As you GM guys know, draining the trans oil is a pain and often leads to red-colored skivvies and a stain on the garage floor. Some GM guy probably earned a bonus for money saving by eliminating the drain plugs. Enough of my rant.

I've got the pan down on a 200R4 and I've been thinking about installing a B&M drain plug I bought a couple years ago and haven't used. But, then I'm thinking that maybe I'm just opening myself up for a leak...or a disaster.

Anyone used an aftermarket plug?

[Jmark]

I have installed aftermarket drain kits on EVERY auto tranny i've owned. Never had one leak, never had one come loose. Just look inside the trans to make sure there is nothing in the way. Also, DON"T put it in the bottom of the pan where a speedbump or whatever can scrape it off. I put mine on the rear lower verticle edge of the pan. I usually jack up the front a little higher anyways so it works fine.

Mark

[73oldsman]

Put one on my Olds years ago. Worked fine with no problems, at least until I replaced it with a finned pan. If you do install one with a jam nut in the tranny pan, make sure you hold the outside nut or boss with a wrench before you put a wrench on the drain plug.

[cabowabo]

a suction pump and a tube

[jimfulco]

I've used a few. The first time, the white plastic washer broke, so I used Permatex #2 (without the washer) to seal the rest. The first one also got put in the bottom, and the little plug got a little too intimate with my driveway hump. A 1/8" socket-head pipe plug gained just enough clearance for me, but like jmark said, put it on the side somewhere. It won't drain completely, but by the time it quits draining, it'll be pounds lighter and not nearly so tip-happy. Your eyes and ears will thank you.

[MI2600]

Good idea to put it in the side and use a pipe plug. I was thinking bottom...aw c'mon guys it was a bad day.

[Lonestar]

I never put drain plugs on the tranny pans as not having one ensures that I will change the filter at the same time as the fluid. I think this is exactly why the factory does not install them.

[MI2600]

Filters...we don need no steenking filters.

[73oldsman]

Originally Posted by Lonestar

I never put drain plugs on the tranny pans as not having one ensures that I will change the filter at the same time as the fluid. I think this is exactly why the factory does not install them.

I must be missing something here...transmission oil change without changing the filter? I think the factory doesn't install them due to cost, no other reason but that.

[Jmark]

I don't change the filter every time I dump the fluid. If I have to loosen the crossmember, jack up the trans about 2", i'm more likely to NOT service it as often as I need to.

With the drain plug, I drain it MORE often, then about every third drain, i'll go the whole route and drop the pan and check for debris and change the filter too.

I remember back in the day, just about every auto had drain plugs. Ford and Dodge even had drain plugs on the converters too!!! Now that as a thurough oil change! LOL

[jimfulco]

Dropping the pan on my Ford is such a PITA that if I hadn't made it easy to R&R a gallon of fluid, it wouldn't get done nearly as often as it does. I do the fluid every few oil changes, and the filter every 2nd or 3rd fluid change. Seems to be working OK at 180K, but then it could crater any minute.

I think 1970 GM products had plugs from the factory, at least my old Catalina did. It was on the front wall, near the right side. There's still an enlarged section on the later pans where the plug went.

[73oldsman]

I see now, said the blind man! I guess having to do all that just to change a tranny filter would be a pain in the ***. I stand corrected!

[Lonestar]

Originally Posted by 73oldsman

I must be missing something here...transmission oil change without changing the filter? I think the factory doesn't install them due to cost, no other reason but that.

Although you are correct, money is also the reason they did install them...warring between the Engineers, the pencil pushers and the warranty claims dept.

I am using a TH350 trans in my 'Bird right now that I rebuilt in the mid '80s. This trans has been in multiple cars and abused mercilessly. I change filter/fluid regularly and, with the exception of a couple of broken ears that needed to be welded back on, it has never given me a problem.