Tranny Service Questions

[Southpaw]

My JWVB and tranny filter should be here thursday, and I am installing them on Sat. Without getting into the whole Mercron III vs. 5 debate..... (i'll be using III)What is the total capacity of the tranny and TC?
If I drain the pan at the plug, will it drain my TC? Or is there a drain on the TC itself? Or do I have to disconnect the return line from the cooler to drain it all?

Anyone got a good writeup?

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

My JWVB and tranny filter should be here thursday, and I am installing them on Sat. Without getting into the whole Mercron III vs. 5 debate..... (i'll be using III)What is the total capacity of the tranny and TC?
If I drain the pan at the plug, will it drain my TC? Or is there a drain on the TC itself? Or do I have to disconnect the return line from the cooler to drain it all?

Anyone got a good writeup?

You'll have to drain the TC separately, Southpaw. There's a rubber access plug @ the bottom of your bellhousing. Pull/pry it off & see if the plug on the TC is lined up with the hole. If not, throw a breaker bar on your crank pulley nut & turn it CW until the plug's lined up. I forget what size the plug is, but it's small. I don't know if you know, but just make sure when you refill your ATF to run through all the gears(& cycle your OD on/off)while it's running & check your level in neutral with the truck running. Unless you already know this, in which case, I'll shut my piehole!

[06F250FX4]

A total fill of the transmission and TC is 17 or 18 quarts depending on if you have a 20 plate(17qts) or a 26 plate(18qts). Not really sure how to tell the difference of the two, but just a bit of info for you.

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by 06F250FX4

A total fill of the transmission and TC is 17 or 18 quarts depending on if you have a 20 plate(17qts) or a 26 plate(18qts). Not really sure how to tell the difference of the two, but just a bit of info for you.

I don't mean to hijack, but what does 20 plate or 26 plate mean?

[NCHornet]

It's how you rate a trans cooler, by plates or cooling tubes. The more the better.
Southpaw, only the 2000 and earlier had the TC plug, but I wouldn't bother with that. I would do a complete flush. I have written the process before but here are the highlights.
Drop pan, replace filter and install new VB ( make sure you have a inch torque wrench and you follow the proper pattern, from the center out) , reinstall pan and fill with 7 quarts of new fluid. Now pull the return line from the cooler at the back of the trans. Place a 1/2" clear hose ( IIRC) over the line and put a hose clamp on it. Run the other end to a container of some kind. Have somone get in the truck and start it, have them stop in each gear for three sec. as soon as you see large air gaps in the clear line tell them to stop, fill with 7 more quarts and repeat, do the shifting again, now reattach the rear line and top off as needed. This will be arounf 21-23 quarts, I would just buy 24 so you have some extra. This way you get all the old fluid out of the pump, coolers, lines, TC etc....
PM me with any ?

NCH

[Southpaw]

So when I first drain it, how much is going to come out?
I know that sounds stupid to keep asking, but I really don't want to have too small of a container under there when I drain it.

Thanks for reminding me about the in-lbs torque wrench, I did forget about that.

[Southpaw]

Sweet.
Look what just showed up a day early.

[Southpaw]

Hey is this the return from the cooler?

How does it disconnect.

[colinmitchell111]

i am getting ready to do this also.. what is a good valve body to buy and how hard is it to change while having the pan off?

[Southpaw]

I bought one from ITP. A John Wood Valve Body.
They are all good i'm sure, BTS, FTVB.....

swapping the VB itself can be changed in just two minutes while the pan is already off.