I have a serious leaking gasket on my tow vehicle. Since I'm going to have to take the pan off, I want to intall a drain plug at the same time. Here is where I get lazy. I'm trying to avoid the mess of the fluid going everwhere. I'd like to drill a hole where the plug will wind-up so I can neatly drain the fluid. It's a deeper aftermarket steel cover so I should be in any danger of hitting the valve body with the drill bit.....especially if I go easy. I'm just trying to figure out the best place to put the plug. Any thoughts? I have an extra TH400 in the garage....I'd just like to not have to dig it out and take off the pan of that one. Thanks!

Every TH400 pan with a drain plug I have ever seen has the plug located on the flat bottom on the "peak" at the back of the pan.

That said, I am not sure what drilling a hole with the pan full saves you, unless your drill and hand need to be covered with tranny fluid.

That said, I am not sure what drilling a hole with the pan full saves you, unless your drill and hand need to be covered with tranny fluid.


Everytime I have dropped a damn pan, it has gotten fluid on me, my wife, the neighbors, the dog......ect!!! LOL

I kind of see where you are coming from though. I just have a confined work area and thought it my save a big mess by swapping out for a little mess. There always seems to be a lot left in the pan when I finally get all the bolts out....then I seem to manage to drop it on the garage floor and.......you know the rest of the story.

Just buy a new deeper after market pan with the plug . Easy button.

Just buy a new deeper after market pan with the plug . Easy button.


I'll do that Don if you will come and swap the dang thing out!!! :p
I threw my easy button against the garage wall a couple of nights ago....

I'll do that Don if you will come and swap the dang thing out!!! :p
I threw my easy button against the garage wall a couple of nights ago....

I took 4" of the bottom off a plastic 55 gal drum, that should be enuff room to aim to. I always drop all but the front row of loosened bolts, let all fluid out. Done it on all my cars, trucks but of course, you have to be some 24" off the ground. Hey, wait a minuite, your not the guy that was doing oil filter commericals for Fram were you? Guy in drive way, with oil running out to streets, neighbors gathering up kids due to obsenities in the air??? :D Dogs running for cover.
Second thought, you are in Or. , better wait til things thaw up some.

Second thought, you are in Or. , better wait til things thaw up some.

I'm not only in OR....I'm in Central Or where it's staying in the 20's. Not much to do around here except shoot coyotes. :yes:

I'm not only in OR....I'm in Central Or where it's staying in the 20's. Not much to do around here except shoot coyotes. :yes:
We got plenty of those too, usually nailed up on the fences or telephone poles.