I have a 68 coupe with 302 and auto transmission. Pan on transmission is leaking and I'm going to replace the pan gasket and filter. Thought as long as I was at it I would try to change the fluid in the torque converter. Asked a local Mustang shop about there being a drain plug in the converter and they said yes. Did some looking on the net and think I know the answer, but thought I would ask here. Will the torque converter automatically fill with fluid when I start the car back up? If not, what's the best way to fill it?

Thanks.

 

You can partially fill the converter by turning so the drain is as high as can still be reached, then let the internal pump do the rest when you start the engine.

 

Four quarts, start the engine let it idle. Four more quarts then check the level, add half quarts till it shows on the dipstick, pints to get it in the operating range. Best checked for final level when fluid is HOT.

Dont over tighten the bolts holding the pan on, that is the main cause of pan leaks. While you have the pan off you should gently tap the holes down level if they are bowed up from over tightening. One thing I use with either cork or rubber gaskets on trans pans is a 1/4" bead of ultra black RTV around the pan. If there is a raised portion of the pan rail, apply it to that ridge, if the pan rail is smooth and flat, just be sure to get it around the bolt holes but keep it towards the outside edges of the pan. The last 1/4" should have RTV, not glopped all over it so it squeezes out everywhere.

Place the gasket on the pan using a couple bolts to hold it in place, just stick them through the gasket and pan. Or make sure its aligned and place the pan gasket down on a workbench and put an old brake rotor or something on the pan to hold it down. Once the RTV has set up a bit, you can install it on the transmission. DO NOT put any RTV on the transmission case, its tougher to clean the case than the pan, since the pan comes off easily. Done correctly you wont have any leaks and you wont have any RTV floating around inside the transmission.

I should do videos or stills of these things I have come up with or been using for years...

 

put about half a quart of fluid in the converter before you stab it on the trans.

 

Sounds like the trans is still in the car. The ONLY way to put fluid into it without removing the trans and converter, is to remove the starter and use a long tube and squirt it into the converter drain hole which is a 1/8 npt. Listen to THUMPIN455, the pump will fill the converter. Remember, the converter holds 3.5 quarts (stock converter) and the tranny 5.5 quarts. I used to buy a case for extra because you still have the cooler lines and cooler to fill.

 

Thanks to all for taking the time to offer me your insights. Whoever put the pan on the last time must have loved RTV, it's coming out all over the place.

 

Thanks again to all. Used THUMPIN455's procedure and everything went as planned. Pan doesn't leak anymore.