Crossmember

[biggnat79]

I just bought a B&M transmission pan for my AOD and I cant get to the rear holes to install the bolts because of the crossmember. Will a little grinding damage the integrity of the crossmember? (By little I mean about 1" off for the length of the drainpan)?

 

[davids78bronco]

Kind of poor planning on that part, wasn't it? I've always just used a 1/2" combination wrench, getting little turns at a time. Slow, but effective, and much faster than trimming, or removing, the crossmember, just to get at a few bolts

If you just bought the deep pan, I don't think it'll fit, unless it's been recessed at the rear, to clear that crossmember

 

[biggnat79]

Yeah, I havent always been known for my ability to think things through. Thats how I ended up in the military. It fits on there. Snugly, but it fits. I just cant get my fat fingers in between the pan and the crossmember to install the last two bolts. All I need is about in inch off, maybe less, and Ill be able to get the bolts in.

 

[davids78bronco]

F it, cut it out then... I thought you were wanting to get into the better part of a half of it

 

[Justshootme84]

Yeah, or just notch the two spots for the bolts and use a socket instead of your "fat" fingers to get the bolts up into the pan.

 

[biggnat79]

I made two notches just big enough for the bolt to fit through and finally got the bastards on. Filled it up and took it out for a test ride. There is a small amount of fluid leaking out at the gasket in the rear, so I am going to head to the store and pick up the hex head socket that I need to put a little more torque on the bolts. Cant quite turn it tight enough with my allen wrench. Was shifting like a champ though, and the pan wasnt nearly as hot after the ride as the stock pan would get. Thanks for the help for those who replied.

 

[davids78bronco]

As I'm sure you're aware, don't tighten the pan too tight, only enough to begin to squich the pan gasket, anymore than that, and it's guaranteed to leak