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Topic: servicing transmission in 88 bird? (Read 884 times) previous topic - next topic

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

So I'm doing all the tune up items to my car including changing of all fluids. I put the bird up on stands take out the trans pan bolts and find out the  pan won't come out because of interference with the trans x member and stock exhaust system. What idiot engineer makes the trans unserviceable without removing a bunch of  from under the car? So I dropped the trans x member and now have the pan off and the fluid is so burnt and doubt its ever been changed. I bought a drain plug kit and installed it so I could drain and fill with the next couple of oil changes. Upon trying to reinstall the pan the exhaust is in the way so I can't flush mount the pan with the new gasket. No way to get the pan in there while keeping the gasket in place..........aggravated:mad:

So tonight I'm going to drop the exhaust from the manifolds so I can get the freaking pan back on.

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #1 –
The gasket should be able to keep in place with all the pan bolts the gasket holes are smaller than the bolts I just did this last weekend without dropping the exhaust.
87 TC
HO Swap, T5 Swap, Mach Springs, CHE Upper and Lower control arms, Mach Chin spoiler, soon to be Procharged.

:evilgrin: Nitrous is like a hot chick with an STD you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences. :evilgrin:

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #2 –
Are you still running the factory exhaust? The crossover pipe that comes across from the driver side manifold is the problem area.

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #3 –
ya still running factory exhaust  if you still have the cross member out jack up the back of the trans and you should have enough room to get it back in.
87 TC
HO Swap, T5 Swap, Mach Springs, CHE Upper and Lower control arms, Mach Chin spoiler, soon to be Procharged.

:evilgrin: Nitrous is like a hot chick with an STD you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences. :evilgrin:

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #4 –
I had a similar problem on my SC.  They folded the gasket up in the box and it refused to stay flat.  I ended up putting small dabs of RTV around the pan side of the gasket.  Then i placed it on a clean flat table and put a couple phone books on top.  After about 20 mins it was sufficiently flat/stuck that I easily plunked it into place.

You could buy gasket-tac, I was just cheap and unwilling to go buy it.

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #5 –
did you remember to change the filter while you had the pan off?  also alittle bit of weatherstrip adhesive works awesome for holding those gaskets in place.

servicing transmission in 88 bird?

Reply #6 –
lol, yes the filter was changed. I tried jacking the trans to the top of the tunnel but didn't help due to the stock exhaust hanger attaching to the trans mount. I took the trans mount loose as well still no help.

I have some factory 5.0 Mustang shorty headers, UPR x pipe, and flowmasters to put on it but been to busy to change it all. No time like the present I suppose.