t-350 fluid question

[Goebeler]

I realized I cooked the fluid a bit in my trans (t-350) last trip and want to change it out myself. There is no drain plug so I assume I need to remove the pan to do so. I plan to get a new gasket today but not sure what amount of fluid to plan on putting in and what type is best. The pan in stock so no extra fluid there but it rins through a dual cool unit up above the enging so a bit extra but I assume not much.

Any reccomendations would be great. I had a bud's shop do it last time but now I want to do it for myself but don't want to overflow the thing and cause more damage then good.

Goebs

 

[Yoda]

I bought a case of Dexron III when I serviced mine. Changed the filter also. I started by putting in 3 quarts and checking and adding til it was at the bottom of the ad mark (don't forget, it is running when checking...I put it in D, then R, then park, and then check it).

Then I drive to get it all the way warmed up and recheck.


I leave 2 bolts on one side of the pan (about 4 turns loose) and remove all the others. Then slightly pry the other side down with your oil drain pan under it (a big pan is VERY helpful). The oil will come out the pan without the pan falling into your draining oil.

 

[e rock]

Yup - what Yoda said. IIRC, it took about 6 quarts to do my 4L60E with cooler.

I've also heard from several people more knowledgable than myself to avoid any sort of cleaning agent to aid in getting the old fluid out. Best to just drain the old fluid, change filter, and replace with new. Something about damaging the bands?

I've also been told to buy the Napa filter and not to bother with anything else.

Since you've got the pan pulled already, now's a good time to install a shift kit. It's actually really easy and made a huge improvement in my wife's Suburban.

I highly recommend these guys Oregon Performance Transmission. They really helped me out when I didn't have a clue what I was doing.

 

[theo]

Draining the pan will only get about 30% of the oil. The rest is in the torque converter and doesn't drain by itself. You have to flush it to get it out. (Unless there is something different about the TH-350).

I've heard you can disconnect the discharge line and run it into a waste bucket, disconnect the intake and put it in a bucket of new oil, and run the engine to cylce new oil in. Haven't tried it; tranny shops have a setup to do it easily.

 

[woody]

stock filters are usually the best, any parts store stuff usually isn't as good. I'd hit the GM store direct personally.

Directions are right on tho...believe the Lemon's C6 took about 8 quarts....10 by the time it was totally full. Fill, shift thru the gears, check and top off while running, test spin, recheck.

drain plugs rock, may wanna look into that while the pan is down. I piped in my temp sender on the Lemon into the side of the pan, and it double as a drain.

tranny fluid outta taste burnt if it's bad....mmmmmmmm...yummay....

 

[Goebeler]

sounds like a trans sho might be the ticket! i want to get all the cooked fluid out not just the 3 quarts. I do want a drain plug if possible. I think it will have to wait till I learn a bit more!

I know for a fact that I can ruin anything...even a simple trans fluid change!

Happy New Year!

Goebs

 

[Gumby]

It's pretty easy. I usually start in a corner and work out, loosening a few turns at a time. I like the pan to come down slow as I hate showering trans fluid out of my beard. (hair, if I had some )

I have been told oxidized fluid, (burnt) will cause new fluid to oxidize rapidly. If it is really burnt an exchange might be worth it. Don't power flush. I have heard lots of horror stories about power flushing. If it's not dark brown, yearly drain and refills should be sufficient.

 

[lone gunman]

check out B&M they sell a drain plug kit, you just drill a hole in the pan and there drain plug fits in, it has nuts on both sides to hold it in and the center has a threaded hole were the plug fits. pretty easy i used on an old 4x4 truck i had.