Ursatdx
Thread starter
I did the fluid exchange using the ATF cooling lines. 100% exchange. Too many reports of the 10mm bolts snapping off for me to take the chance.What method are you planning on using for a fluid exchange?
Many ATFs have been suggested. All probably will do the transmission fine. I use Amsoil ATF in any vehicle when I get to servicing the ATF. But that's just my view. It's one of the best I believe.
So it were my car and I thought the transmission pan bolts would be an issue at some point I might spray some PB Blaster on them and give each one a tug to see if you can loosen them. Then if you really need to drop the pan you deal with the transmission issue and not compound the problem with snapped bolts. Maybe even pull each bolt one by one, grease or neverseize and put it back.
Some people pull their boat outdrive not to do any real main rather just to get it off and back on. Same situation with the transmission pan bolts.
The problem is worse in the areas that treat roads with salt/brine. I have seen 1st hand many trans bolts snap off. I was pleased with the old fluids condition so not that worried about replacing the filter. I've done 1000's (yes 1000's) of pan drops and the only filters that seemed possibly problematic due to being "cloggged" were very old (I'm old) TH200s/TH350s with the metal screen and some very old Ford C4s/C5s and a few of the very old Torqueflite 727/904s.
I've done a few outdrives, too. Never had an issue with rusted hardware on those as the hardware is much larger.