4L80 Difference in internal filters seal for deep an shallow pan filters?like are the deep filters pickup tube thinner an fit loosely on a shallow filters seal?

Here’s what I have done 05Express 3500 4L80.deep pan




Pumped some fuild out though top rad tube about 3 quarts. Then dropped pan there was still about 4 quarts dripped out into drain pan.

Dropped the pan an the filter was laying on bottom of pan. Shoved new filter

into existing seal. This existing seals position didn’nt seam tight doe’s the pan hold this filter inplace?



I’m suspious that this removed filter was completely plastic that was laying on pan could have been a shallow filter an seal so basicley I reused the shallow seal w/ a deep filter I think ?



My new filtran filter is metal on lower section didn’t fit snuggly into seal. Like when reinstalling the pan I bumped the filter an it moved diangley a tad I straightened an shoved it back into position then carefully reinstalled pan.



All previous filter I’ve changed on other GMs (all where 4L60) the car99 TA, Saab Areo an a 1500express the filters always had to be snatched out an shoved in an where in there snuggly this new filter is kindof not loose but not snuggly.

on previous filter changes this seal was jammed way up inside case this seal was in the proper hole but at the bottom of case now I was able to press the filter up to just under the inside stuff where filter is in correct position.



reinstalled pan.replenished the same amount that came out before dropping pan.

Evidently the shift linkage just snapes back on an doesn’t have the cheap plastic bushing that breaks like on the GTM360s?



Started pumping out more black fuild couple quarts at a time turning off engine then replenhishing the same amount that came out.

When I thought she was pumping cleaner fuild I stopped.



I may have pumped out a bit more of the new fuild bc a bit more than 15 quarts came out.

Now I have around 15 quarts ran engine shifted though the gears an zero on the dipstick.
if I pumped out a couple extra quarts than I replenhished would these 2 quarts low be zero on dipstick?


How low can the trans be on fuild where it shouldn’t be driven until filled to proper level? An yes I had engine running while checking level.


additionale notes:
The express has recently been stalling out just when backing up driveway right when I shift to reverse or out driveway when shifting to drive so I crank her up again then shift again to reverse not sure if this stalling is transmission related?



I thought maybe the filter was clogged up interfering w/ shifting gears. anyway she drives excellent before the filter swap. Haven’t driven yet waiting to get proper fuild level.
sorry to be so long. An thanks

 

ALL 4L80 after model year 1998 use SAME trans filter for factory truck pan.

 

I have my suspiouions that I have a shallow pan seal thats why my deep pan filter isn't snuggly. heres the filter I installed.image.



you are saying all newer filters are the same regaurdless of pan depth. there are differnt part#s for differnt pans. or are you saying the pickup tubes an seals are the same size whick makes sense to be able to fit the case.?
I've already thrown out the old filter but can say it was all plastic. thanks @Full Power

 

Hmm when I call my parts supplier WITS they only give me two optiions. Early to 95 then 96 up . Anytime I have used an aftermarket pan deeper than normal I have had to use extension. That said yes while the seal should hold the filter firm . The pan is what actually hold it in, Hence the 4 feet on bottom .

 

this is good piece of mind. I kindof thought the pan holds it in place.so I shouldn't be concerned that this filter wasn't tight (snuggly) into case but was held in place?
I think I pumped out a tad more fuild than I intended maybe 2 quarts an I only ordered 3 gallons of the ac delco. is it OK to mix the universal type castrol which I have as leftover from previous fuild changes this image


w/ the ac delco? here's the 3 gallons I have in her

.I was informed from a knowlegdable source to never use the universal only use fuild specificaly designed for GM.image

I'm just assumming she's low just 2quarts how low will she be w/ zero fuild on dipstick? thanks FranksCustomTrans

 

I believe the transition year for shallow vs deep was 1997.

The difference is the shallow pan is flat on the bottom entirely. The matching filter has these little ribs on the bottom.

The deep pan is what the OP shows, and the matching filter has the 4 little divots or "feet." Well, 3 plus the suction circle really.

You "can" put a shallow filter in a deep pan, but it will likely fall out because the bottom of the filter will not be supported by the pan. Bad things will happen.

Putting a deep filter on a shallow pan will result on the pan bottoming out before contacting the pan rails. Forcing the pan will result in the filter neck breaking. Bad things will happen...

The filter is basically friction fitted on the valve body. If it's not tight, you should replace the seal. One trick I learned from YT is to use a 6 or 8" black iron pipe nipple in 1/2" size. Thread it in, then wiggle it and it comes out pretty easily. Takes about 30 seconds. It's a slick trick, especially if you under the vehicle and ATF is dripping into your face and mouth. Lol

 

the filter is actuely held in place just not as tight as all previous filters where I have to grab twist an ****** out.

I was a bit suspious that the filter that was in there that was laying on the pan when removing could have been a shallow pan filter w/ a deep seal.

I've only do ne half dozon filter changes however every one the filter was attached to case tight. just seams strange to see it laying on pan.thanks @strutaeng

 

Evidently I didn’t wait long enough for the fluid to get down on the dipstick.

Vans been sitting undriven in backyard for a couple weeks bc I thought there wasn’t enough fluid.

Today w/ engine turned off I have this much fuild on dipstick or is this fake readings bc engine is turned off?



I now have more of the AC delco 9395 fuild. I assume I should crank her up then start at low#1 and shift to each gear a few times check dipstick while she's in park still running?.

The amount on the DS right now doe’s this indicate one quart low? There are no cold/warm/hot levels on this DS.

Lastly for right now is there a trick to keeping the DS secure in it’s tube? I’m thinking the procedure is 1.push in. 2.twist pointing the lever doward. 3. lock level down.

I neglected to mention before I did the fluid flush I installed a new trans cooler so the amount of fluid to replenhish would have increased maybe half a quart.
all previous trans coolers where extrenal bypassing the rads. cooler w/ this cooler I have the cooler in series w/ the rads. cooler.
I'm concerned that I could have the feed an returns tubes backwards out ther aux coolers top to return of trans. please advice.
thanks


I'm also wanting additional filtering w/ the external filter in direct wind for extra cooling what do you Guy's think?

 

Inline filter is GARBAGE.
Installing that is just BUYING trouble.

 

Fluid must be checked with engine running. It doesn't matter which is feed and return with aux cooler.

 

how long doe's it take for the fluid to drain off the tube an provide an accurate reading?ambient temp. is 45*. w/ engine warm I shifted though each gear. when she was still a bit cool she would stall out going to reverse that subsided as she progressively got warmer.

same story when shifting down to first she stalled out. not so much stalling from drive to 3rd an 2nd just to first. now this subsided the warmer she got.



after all the shifting I say cycled three times though each gear,I started adding fluid half a quart. waited a few minutes then checked I believe I got fake reading bc dip stick was scraping fluid off the tube like the reading area then dry for 2' then covered for 10" the dry.

waited a few minutes still fakeish reading. so how many minutes should I wait to check after adding?

now since I have cycled shifted though all the gears I assume the valve bodies of each gear is pumped full an is unnecessary to continue shifting for next add an check? just add wait x amount of time then check.

I certainly want to avoid adding to much.

so is the bent twisted part of dipstick the full at hot?

an what the heck is hot after 100miles of cruising or just after rad.s water temps say operating temp. 190*

what the heck is cold temp.just after ignition an not driven?

my car has hot an cold printed on it different story w/ the express3500.



I think the dipstick stays a bit more secure when locking in up position. thanks for advice

 

There is no set time. I try to get it close and then wait 15 minutes or so and recheck to finalize the level. Just whenever the dipstick reading stabilize. Yes, the cold reading is before it gets up to temp, no need to drive it. No need to shift it through all of the gears. The fluid level is not that critical; it won't hurt to over fill by 1/2 qt.

 

That's some SERIOUS misinformation. The fluid level is absolutely critical on an auto trans and it will never show proper level if it hasn't been driven through all the gears on a new install.

I can't even count how many transmissions I've seen burnt up because of improper fluid level.

 

@jakeshoe has spoken...

Thank you sir for chiming in. Always have learned from your vast knowledge as a DIYer rebuilder. Blessings for 2026! 🙏

 

need image of 05 Chevy 3500 4L80 express transmission dipstick, mine has no readings on either side.
I've been pouring in 1/2 of quart waited one hour then checked (while running in park) after adding just over two quarts I have just under one inch.are you shoebox? thanks


this is a 07 dipstick. so if its the same as mine I have a undriven cold level? I assume the other reading is warm maybe the 0 is warm?

 

He has already ran it through all of the gears, What I said is that it would not hurt if it were overfilled by 1/2 a quart. Don't take what I said out of context to the thread.

 

OP if you are unsure of the markings on your dipstick. You sure remove the transmission oil pan to verify the marks. With the pan removed install the dipstick and fold over the lock. The hot full mark should be set about 1/16" above the pan gasket surface of the transmission.

 

the express vans have turns in the DS tube which effectively rub off the ingraved markings on the DS. so I'll just go by lenght of fluid. what you say about where the DS sits in good infor an also makes sense. what part of the trans. case does the DS sit. I believe the DS tube is at the pass. side front.thanks bbond105

 

Yes, passenger side front.

 

The statement that the fluid level isn't critical is bad enough.