Mag Hytec pan installation...68RFE

[KOwens]

For those of you who have installed the Mag Hytec transmission pan on your 68RFE automatic, can you tell me if you used the Mag Hytec pan gasket that comes with the pan or did you use the Mopar RTV silicone sealant when installing the pan to the transmission?

Seems I've read a lot of threads that recommend using the RTV sealant as opposed to using any gasket...reusable or otherwise.

Anyway, if you've got some experience dealing with this particular Mag Hytec pan installation, I'd love hear what you did in your case...and how it is working out now.

Thanks, Kevin

 

[Larry Willard]

When I put one on my '08 I used the O ring that came from Mag Hytec in it. It was on for more than 60000 miles before I took it off when buying the '13 I now have with no problems.
Larry

 

[JohnCW]

I have had one sitting in the shop that I have never installed ! If I ever get around to installing it I will let you know.
John

 

[TSielski]

I have installed this pan on my 2011 and used their gasket and RTV. I did this at first just because I didn't want to deal with a leaky pan gasket down the road. After 30K miles when it was time to drain the fluid and change out the filters, I noticed that the 20mm allen head bolts (M6-1.0) Mag-Hytec supplies had all become extremely loose; less than finger tight on all but a few. The RTV was essentially holding the pan on. And yes, I did properly torque each bolt to the 105 inch pounds recommended by Dodge. When I re-installed the pan this second time, again with a new gasket and RTV on both sides of it, I sourced some flanged M6-1.0, 20mm allen head bolts, rather than straight allens with washers, and used M6 copper crush washers under each, and applied a dab of blue loctite on each bolt. I let the re-attached pan "cure" for about an hour before refilling the transmission with fluid primarily to let the RTV set up. No issues so far.

tim

 

[KOwens]

Hey Larry...it's my understanding the new 68rfe pans from Mag Hytec come with a gasket now...not an o-ring like some of the older pans.

Thanks JohnCW.

For TSielski...if you use the RTV sealant on both sides of the gasket, what purpose does the gasket actually perform? Seems like simply using the RTV between the pan and the transmission would make as good a seal...and the RTV must then be removed from both mating surfaces during the next service anyway...so I'm not seeing the benefit of the gasket. Does the gasket make it easier to take apart...since there is something there to slide a knife or otherwise between to separate the pan from the transmission? Not thrilled to hear the bolts did not stay tightened either...yikes! If I do this, I want it to be bullet proof when I'm done...and not create additional or unnecessary complication. Thanks for your insight on the issue...appreciate the feedback.

What's sort of frustrating to me is that on my '95...that I put 287,000 mile on and did lots of transmission services on...the 47RH transmission had a reusable/replaceable plastic gasket that worked flawlessly, never leaked, and was readily available from the dealer. I don't get the switch to gluing the pan on with RTV sealant these days, but I'm no expert...so there you go! The differential covers on that same truck were sealed with RTV silicone...and I dealt with that just fine...so I guess using the sealant on the transmission pan is not the end of the world...just a bit harder to accept because of the hassle involved. At least with a drain plug...ala replacement Mag Hytec pan...I won't be covered in transmission fluid by the time I get the glued-on pan off in the future. Food for thought anyway.

Kevin

 

[KOwens]

Oh yeah...and for JohnCW again...do you ever sleep? I'm looking at the time of day you post you responses. =:~)

 

[TSielski]

I suspect the gasket is used to provide a little bit of cushioning (though I could be wrong) as the mag-hytec pan is cast aluminum and the factory pans are stamped steel which can flex a bit with no issues. Start to flex a cast aluminum part and it will crack. With the exception of intake manifold gaskets on gas v-8's, I've always used some sealant on both sides of gaskets. Doing that ensures that there never will be a leak. Back in the day on the old 727 Torqueflites, I put a bit of grease on both sides of the gasket, and usually didn't get leaks, or weeps, but it was not an absolute.
Yeah you have to clean the old RTV from both the pan and the trans mating surface, but it's not a big deal, at least I don't think it is. To remove the pan, I use a thin putty knife and tap it between the pan and the trans mating surface and the pan breaks free. Don't regard that as a big issue.
I was certainly surprised that the mag-hytec supplied bolts loosened. Had I not used any RTV the pan would have weeped, or leaked more than a little bit unfortunately. Why this time I used some blue loctite. Funny thing is I've read that if you use the mag-hytec gasket on the factory pan it will leak regardless of the sealant used.
Anyway thats what I've done with mine. Good luck with the process you choose with your truck.

Tim

 

[KOwens]

Thanks TSielski...appreciate your input. Yeah...I'll give this some careful consideration before proceeding.

Kevin

 

[JohnCW]

Oh yeah...and for JohnCW again...do you ever sleep? I'm looking at the time of day you post you responses. =:~)

Fire watch .

 

[KOwens]

Ahhhhh...got it!

 

[Cummins12V98]

I used Permatex "The Rite Stuff" no drips for the 50K or so I had the pan on.

 

[JohnCW]

I used Permatex "The Rite Stuff" no drips for the 50K or so I had the pan on.

That is so "old school" ! I used Permatex way back in the 60s ( yes, I am an old geezer now ) . That was before anyone ever heard of RTV .

 

[Cummins12V98]

That is so "old school" ! I used Permatex way back in the 60s ( yes, I am an old geezer now ) . That was before anyone ever heard of RTV .

This product is a gasket maker and is a RTV ??? I like getting it in the caulking gun container.