So I was changing out my transmission pan gasket and noticed the magnet pictured below in the front of the pan:



I didn't see anything on it in the service manual. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Also, in case you were wondering, I did spring for the fancy-pants dealer gasket. Seems like a wise investment.



Luckily, it looks like the pan is in really good shape. It just needs a little more cleaning and it'll be ready to go back in.

Incidentally, if you're ever stuck with a bathtub full of oil and transmission fluid, I would highly recommend Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. I hate these things for everything else, but the bathtub looks good as new when scrub brushing barely put a dent in it.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Keep it in there... It's a lttle insurance policy for metallic material floating in your tranny fluid. (supposed to stick to it )

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HEY..Don't laugh...It'S paid for!!!

I have to wonder, are you married? Because if you are, and your wife lets you clean transmission parts in the bathtub, she's definitely a keeper!

I think they started putting magnets in the pans in the early 80s.I swear by them and have magnetic drain plugs in my trans,engine and rear.The engine plug might accumulate a half pinch of metal between oil changes,but it's that much that isn't going through the oil pump.And most important if you see more than normal,it warns you that a part might be failing.

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V8?? We don't need no stink'n V8!!

I think someone added the magnet.

Looks just like some I got at Radio Shack.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I woke up in the middle of the night and this idea hit me. Metal shavings. It's a smart idea. The transmission shop must've put it in there when it was rebuilt in the late 90s. It's been serviced since then, just not by me.
My wife is actually the one that discovered the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser trick! Sadly, it doesn't work nearly as well on concrete or metal. She's a very patient woman.
Where do you find these magnetic plugs? Sounds like a good investment.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Find out what thread sizes your drain plugs are and order them from NAPA.

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V8?? We don't need no stink'n V8!!

armyofchuckness:
Hell, magnetic plugs are easy, where is the supply of understanding women? Oh, I recall Josh has one, remember his "tranny going for a swim in the kitchen sink" photo a few months ago?

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

If you need a magnet in the pan to collect metal shavings I would look at a different transmission builder. I have raced the same trans for 6 years and aint no magnet in mine. But I did change trans fluid once. but no metal there. Thanks Ron Parker









Bee Good Or Bee Gone

A magnet is a good idea.

My parents cars (2000 & 2002 Foci) both have a magnet in the pan, and both magnets had fine metal particles on them when I changed the filter and fluid.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I read this to my wife after giving her the background on this thread. She agrees she's a good one! And so do I!

I can't believe I built that trans 9 months ago! And I still haven't taken it off the bench!

Anyhow, back to the point, my High School job was at a Jiffy Lube and I've seen plenty of automatics with magnets in the pan. As the clutches and plates slide against each other during normal operation ferrous wear particles are produced. The magnet helps take the particles out of the oil. You can get in-line fluid filters for transmission fluid and power steering that have magnets built in.

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Joshua