Setting trans fluid level by filling the pan...?

[scraph]

At some point in the past, when I was installing a shift kit on a 4R70W, I seem to remember stumbling on some advice to ensure the correct fill of the transmission. The procedure was to install the pan but keep it loose (so the pan gasket will leak) and fill through the dipstick. Filling should then be stopped when fluid begins to leak at the gasket (i.e. the pan is exactly full). Has anyone heard of this? Is it complete BS? Does it work on the 4R100?

[NoRalPh]

I can't imagine what the advantage could possibly be.

Go by the "stick".....

[ipz2222]

That was an original by the GREAT Gil Younger of Transgo. Your description of how to do it is wrong though. It had to do with turbo 400's blowing fluid out the vent, does no apply to 4r100. The early (89 thru 98) e4od had sticks that were too long, hence low fluid level. You can't go wrong with haveing the fluid level at least 1/4 inch above the full mark on any late model trans.
Before anyone starts that BS about ''that will cause the seals to blow out"", I've got 30 years to prove it doesen't and everyone of my vehicles are ""overfilled".

[scraph]

Yeah, I didn't recall exactly ... just a faint memory... and I was installing a TransGo shift kit at the time on the 4R70W. I think it might have described that on the instructions or maybe I stumbled across it on the internet when searching about TransGo and fluid levels. *shrug*

[ipz2222]

That's a good kit to install in the 4r70w. I put one in every one I build. I assume you've already installed the kit??? Remember the small rubber accumulator toward the back of the case.?? If you ever get any kind of shifting complaints, remove the v.body and ck that piston. The rubber lips peel away and cause a leak. It wil burn the trans up in a short time, but if you catch it early, you can save the trans.