Oil change 4l60e - need help - firsttimer

[64Chevelle]

Hi,

I have never changed oil on my 4l60e and I need help/suggestions/info on how to best do this and what parts and/or tools I need.

The trans fluid started changing color from a transparently reddish color at the end of last summer and the car has been in winter storage since.

I guess I need to change filter too. Is there anything more I should check/change while I'm working on it. Any online tutorials (hopefully with pictures)?

1964 Chevelle

[Steve Chryssos]

Yuk! I hate transmission oil changes. Do you have a drain plug? If not the job can be messy. Loosen all of the bolts slightly, then slowly remove the bolts from one end to help angle the pan for draining.

Clean the magnet in the pan if you have one. Buy seven or eight quarts of Dexron IV, but yo probably will not need all of them. You really should get some cooler flushing agent as well or your efforts will be wasted. For reinstallation, you will need a filter and a new gasket. Give the new filter/bushing a good solid push to seal. Make sure that you have removed the old filter bushing. Sometimes it separate from the old filter and gets stuck in the bore. I recommend a gasket along with a sealant called "The Right Stuff". Spread it sparingly with your finger.

Do NOT over-tighten the bolts. They require almost no torque. Hand tight and then 3/4 -1 turn is it. Too much and you'll be sorry. If you see the gasket pushing out from the side, it's too late. You wrecked the gasket. Start over or you will have a leaker!

Then put the car level and safely on jackstands so that you can run thru the gears with the rear tires off the ground. Add four quarts and test. Remember that you still have some fluid in the trans and converter. Move the shifter to reverse and have someone check to see if the wheels turn. If so, repeat test for forward gears. Add fluid slowly. You do not want to overfill. Just get the fluid to register on the dipstick and then add a little more--enough to take the car for a gentle drive and get the fluid good and warm. Check level frequently.

With the trans up to operating temp you can top off the fluid.

I empathize. I'm about to do this as well since I am swapping over from my five year old TCI trans to a new Bowler 4L60RR with all the tricks.

[64Chevelle]

Thank you for a very good explanation. At least now I have some basic knowledge and what pitfalls to avoid. One question however...

"You really should get some cooler flushing agent as well or your efforts will be wasted."

I'm not sure what you mean about this, but I guess it is something like what is mentioned here:

http://hammondtransmission.com/id69.html

What about that LubeGuard product they mention? Anyone have any experience with that?

Also, if i wanted to install a shift kit, this might be a good time What about reliability when using a shift kit?

[paul67]

Buy a sump pan that comes with a drain plug as well there only a few $ ,chromed as well.

[64Chevelle]

Buy a sump pan that comes with a drain plug as well there only a few $ ,chromed as well.

My pan is ~6mm or ~2 1/4" in height and there is definately not room for one that holds more fluid since it would be higher and ground clearance would be a huge issue in my case (I've got issues in that department already). Unless there are some pans that holds more fluid w/o the added height, but I doubt it. Seems I've got to get a trans cooler instead.