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As the title suggests, I'm looking for a few shops that drop the transmission pan and change the filter out in the Orlando area.
Little back story:
Trans started slipping while trying to go into 3rd. 1st and 2nd are ok and if I go fast enough in 2nd and manually shift into 3rd, the trans would shift into 3rd and likewise if I did the same for 4th. So the trans still has all the gears and still has reverse. I have a TCI deep transmission pan which has a nice drain plug on the bottom, so I drained the fluid (5 quarts) and the fluid was reddish brown but no burnt smell, still smelled like transmission fluid. I took off all the bolts around the pan but the pan wouldn't come off since it wants to stay mated to the trans itself. I have the filter and gasket already and called Jiffylube to see if they drop the pan. They said no, they only do fluid flushes (no thanks) and drain the 5 quarts which they charge 89 dollars for and I already did in 5 min for free with no mess.
So I put 5 new quarts in and ran it through the gears, still have everything and will test drive it tonight. If worse comes to worse, I'll change the fluid again in 2 weeks and keep doing so till the fluid comes out completely red till I'm able to find a place that can pull that pan off and change the filter.
Pull the pall off, it's just sticking because of the gasket.
Have you tried asking guys in the Fbody club or at gatherings if they want to do it?
Any mechanic shop, even a PepBoys should only charge you half hour labor. Pull into a gas station that has a mechanic and ask how much they'll charge. Or like Goodyear tire shops that have mechanics.
When I need to do little things just because I need a lift I pull into these places and offer them a $20.00 to lift my car for a quick little job that needs to get done. They usually go for it.....
I would definitely just do it yourself. If the pan is sticking after you pull the bolts out tap it with a rubber mallet and should come off pretty easily. It is an easy job that shouldn't take more than an hour or so doing it in your driveway.
I've tried to hit it with a rubber mallet to get it unstuck but to no avail, it's a very tight fit under there and I can't get any leverage. By the looks of it though, it seems that the trans is on it's way out (did several fluid changes and the trans is still acting the same way) and I'm currently saving on getting a built version.
If you can get to Lauderdale...or want to ship the tranny on a train to Lauderdale....my friend builds/rebuilds a badass 4L60E.
He has been doing my tranny for the past 11 years or so. They last 3-4 years before they need a rebuild...and that was with my 427ci stroker and 500 RWHP going through it getting beat on almost every day. Thats a good 4L60E build.....
he charges between $500-$600...Parts and labor. He uses all the good upgraded heavy duty stuff. Don't really remember the parts he uses, but they are top quality aftermarket brands.
I would guess shipping on an Amtrak train would cost you $50.00 each way. Don't pay $1,500 to a tranny shop or race "tranny" shop....you will get the same exact tranny as my friend builds.
Yea I can't drive the car to FT Lauderdale since I don't have a driveable 3rd and 4th gear. After I drained the fluid in a white pail and emptied the fluid into a shipping bucket I noticed a black film in the white pail which suggests that my 3-4 clutches are shot. I will look into your option though but first I have to get my car to my mechanic and then take it from there since I do want Yank to refreshen and restall the converter.
Here is what the bottom of the white pail looked like when I put the trans fluid in a bigger container, clutch material......trans did last a little over 5 years with the cam and then another 2 years with the 243s. Not bad for the stock unit.