Pre-'64 auto trans filter retrofit

[SlantSixDan]

The 1960-'63 Torqueflite automatics used an external, in-line transmission fluid filter as an optional accessory in '60 and '61, standard equipment in '62-'63, not a flat in-pan filter such as the 1964-up transmissions used. In place of the in-pan flat filter, the early cars had a metal screen. If your car is so equipped, you will find the black, canister-shaped filter clamped to the engine block right at the level of the oil pan rail, below and ahead of the starter motor, with the trans fluid pipes threaded into each end of the canister. These canister-type filters are no longer manufactured. New Old Stock items can sometimes be found, but are usually quite costly. A replacement for this canister-type filter can be had (while supplies last, which won't be long) from Pat Blais, tflitepatty@verizon.net . You can without much difficulty convert to the '64-up in-pan filter, making future transmission service easier and less costly.

There are a few different in-pan filters that will physically fit, but on a pre-1966 transmission, you need a filter with two fluid ports in it. The '66-up filters have only one, and if you use them on a '65 or earlier transmission, you'll starve the rear pump and damage it; it'll get noisy.

For this project, you'll need:

•A 1964-1965 transmission filter (with two ports). NAPA or ATP 19715 or 17956 trans filter/gasket kit contains the 2-port filter. Other numbers include Wix 58656 and Fram (yuck) FT-1015A.

•A 1964-up transmission pan or a brand-new pan. Nice new pans with unwarped rails for the A904 can be had from the dealer under p/n 52118 779AD, and they even include a spiffy magnet to catch metallic shavings. Whether you go that route or install a used '64-up pan, save yourself a bunch of current and future hassle: Discard the floppy cork or rubber pan gasket that comes with the filter kit. Instead, from the Chrysler dealer get the really nice double-seal, reusable rigid pan gasket P/N 4295 875AC. These part numbers are for A904 transmissions, which have a roughly square-shaped transmission pan with one corner cut off. The larger A727 transmissions take pan p/n 5211 8780AD
and gasket 2464 324AB. The doughnut magnet itself is 3681 601.

The reason why you need to change the pan is that when they changed to the in-pan Dacron filter for '64, they put a circular depression in the pan to provide sufficient clearance between the pan and the Dacron filter, which is thicker than the '63 and earlier pickup screen. This is why my '62 has "dropout" problems when cold (Dacron filter w/'62 pan); I really need to fix it 'cause it's not good to starve the pump for fluid like that.

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[63pushy]

Planning to do this switch on my newly acquired 63 valiant Signet hardtop. I have access to a press. Would it be possible to press the necessary recess into the pan?

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I'm sure I can do this without disconnecting the battery. What could possibly go wrong?

[SlantSixDan]

Probably, but I think you'd likely wind up warping the pan rails and creating leaks. I would think it better/easier to get the later pan.

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[63pushy]

thanks Dan, I talked to my friendly MoPar parts guy and ordered a pan for 30 bucks. I think you're right...

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I'm sure I can do this without disconnecting the battery. What could possibly go wrong?

[Guest]

Dan,
This is great and important conversion info, thanks!

Mike @CP

[slantscamp]

hi guys. i already picked up a filter for a 64 valiant with two ports. i thought this would be a good excuse to pick up a deep pan. 1 qt extra capacity. but the one i saw through mopar says it comes with a pickup spacer. does this space the filter down? the reason i ask is because the filter they show in the picture only has one port. i just thought since i have to get a new pan it would hurt to get a little extra capacity. but if that pickup is for a single port filter it wont really help me. on the other hand there is a 68 barracuda at the junkyard by me with a slant six. should i just get the pan off that? thanks.
-aaron-

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[SlantSixDan]

Don't buy the Mopar Performance deep pan, buy the late-model production pan under the part number listed in this thread, and use it without any filter spacer.

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[Joe Colby]

Dan, When you do this swap do you replace the lines where the old cannister came out? I've tried screwing with buying new lines and bending them myself and have not had much luck. I can almost get the original lines to mate up but can't find a fitting that will work on both. It's got to be a male/female thing. I've had no luck at my local NAPA or the hardware store. Would it be worth while trying to finding a pre bent line?
Any suggestions??
Thanks.
Joe

[SlantSixDan]

Several different ways to handle the line issue. You could use a tubing cutter to remove the male and female flares from the filter-connecting ends of the existing lines, then patch the gap with flexible "rubber" transmission cooler hose (make sure that is actually what you get; it has to be able to handle trans oil under high pressure), double clamped at each end. You could use a set of lines from a '64-'66 slant-6 Valiant. You can perhaps get new ready-bent steel or stainless steel hardlines from Classic Tube or Inline Tube; the latter's catalogue is down at the moment ("Please call") and the former shows the hardlines for V8 '64-'66 Plymouth Valiant, but not for slant-6s. You could more easily make your own out of Cunifer line. Or, you could escape the damnuisance of these hardlines altogether and do as I proposed here.

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[Joe Colby]

Dan, Again, thank you. I didn't even think of rubber hose. Duh!
I found my double flare tool, it's either give that a try or just say screw it and go to rubber hose.
Thanks.
Joe

[slantscamp]

hey dan. i had a question. i just got the pan i ordered from the dealership. when the guy ordered it for me, he said the part number had superseded to a new one. 52118779AD. i didnt think anything of it. but when i pick it up i noticed its pretty deep about two inches deeper than the pan on my transmission. i just looked at my original transmission pan again to confirm this and it is a big different. its deffinitly a 904 pan, but i dont know what for. i noticed you said the 64 has a round depression in the pan. would a 63 have this or would it just be flat. the reason i ask is because mine has a round depression that covers pretty much the whole bottom of the pan. its not much. maybe a half inch. im just thinking maybe i already have a later pan on my car for some reason. oh and my new pan does not have the circular depression. any help would be appreciated. thanks

-aaron-

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[SlantSixDan]

Does your original pan have a drain plug?

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[slantscamp]

i just went and checked. no drain plug in my original or my new one.

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[slantscamp]

should the 64-up hve one? mine looks like the one in the link.
http://www.amccf.com/tech/AT/AT_TF904_case_retainer_serv.jpg

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[SlantSixDan]

Pans thru '63 had drain plugs, so it sounds like you already have a '64 or later pan. The new current-production pan is certainly nicer, but you would likely have no trouble using your present pan with the in-pan filter.

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