I have the Chrome "400" transmission pan on my car now, but it's been leaking since I left for Iraq and now that I'm back I want to put a new one on. What type is the best to use, but I don't have the $100 plus it costs to buy an aluminum one that I would really like.

What pan are you guys using? Or what do you recommend? Thanks

I just ordered the Derale pan with the cooling tubes in the bottom. I've read good reviews on it. Cast aluminum would be better for preventing leaks, but you already said you can't afford it. :(


http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=DER%2D14101&N=4294922122+4294904018+115&autoview=sku

Factory GM deep pan, or even better the pan from a military Hummvee as it has a drain plug stock.

The Derale pan is decent.

The best deal for the money is the Summit Aluminum pan though. It is deep cast aluminum, comes with mounting hardware AND it includes the GM parts for the deep pan.
Right around $100.

Watch the clearance between the "rooster comb" shifter linkage inside the trans and the front of the pan, especially on the Derale pans. It will hit and not quite get into park...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Deep-Oil-Pan-Upgrade-kit-for-Chey-GM-Turbo-400-TH400_W0QQitemZ8060903069QQcategoryZ33727QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Decent deal...

I was reading about the Derale pan in JEGS and it wasn't too bad for the money. I don't want to spend over $100 for a pan is what I was trying to say. I just assumed I can find one for less than that. I didn't mean to sound like a poor smuck. :)

I have a B&M Megashifter in the car, will the Derale pan still hit? I would really like to have that pan. I drive my car in this NC heat and that pan would really be a good idea. Thanks

The shifter has nothing to do with the clearance issue. It is the internal shift linkage I have had issues with hitting the front face of the pan.
If you compare the pans to a stock one, there is a small "dent" in the stock one to clear the linkage in park, and it isn't there on the Derale.
I had to grind the linkage on my Chevelle to clear, and had an issue on a customers trans also that may have been the Derale pan.

My Derale pan went on fine. I ruined it tryimg to weld a temp sensor bung in it, but that's another story. :clonk:

Stock GM pan works for me and no leaks

I know the shifter itself is no problem, I thought you may have been talking about the linkage. I was going to try and get a stock GM pan, but I haven't gotten around to going to the dealer to see if they have any. I know the junkyards around here don't have any.

Thanks for the help guys.

TH400 Parts

Deep pan 8679994 $45
tube 8629526 $4
bolt 8633208 $3
spacer 8629523 $3


GM part numbers to install the deep pan.

This is wholesale price as of a couple of years ago, so list will be higher.

Before the Coan, I had a Derale pan on the other TH400. Figured a little extra cooling was good insurance.
Didn't leak either. :cool: Still sitting in the shop on the floor holding up the rest of the tranny.