E250 transmission question.

[DAV!D]

I'm building a new van (2007 Ford E250) and just put a new 4.6 v8 in it. I'm about to wrap up the engine swap and decided to change the transmission filter. It has the 4 speed auto.

I took off the transmission pan and found this little plug sitting in the bottom of the pan. I have no idea what it is or where it came from, can anyone here identify this thing or maybe even tell me where it goes? The trans was working fine so I'm not sure if it's a non essential item or maybe someone dropped it down the dipstick tube.

I'm not a member of any ford forums or anything like that so was hoping someone might know what it is being so many guys have Ford vans here.

btw, I just wanted to add, I'm using this diagram and can't find anything that looks like this item.

https://transpartsonline.com/image/Diagram/pic4R70.jpg It's a 4R75E Transmission

 

[shenrie]

damn, I have no idea what that is, but you might post up how big/long it is. it appears from the pic to be to large to even fit down the dipstick tube. good luck...

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Don't be alarmed. It's installed during transmission assembly to keep debris out until the transmission dipstick and its tube are installed. That part falls into the pan and remains unless it's removed at service.

 

[DAV!D]

Don't be alarmed. It's installed during transmission assembly to keep debris out until the transmission dipstick and its tube are installed. That part falls into the pan and remains unless it's removed at service.

Awesome man, it's sort of the conclusion I came up with. I crawled around under the van trying to figure out where it went and the only place I could see that it fit was the dipstick tube. Thanks for the reply!

For the record, the van had a rattling timing chain and had dropped a valve when I bought it. I was lucky enough to score a 4.6 out of a 2007 Gran Marquis with only 8,8k miles. Was a gandma's car that was driven to the grocery store and ended up T-boned. I finished the engine swap today and it fired up the first turn of the key and purrs like a kitten..

Not sure if I'll do a 4wd conversion on this van or not. I may hold out for a diesel if I go that route, but I wanted to test the waters with a full size camper van to replace my Syncro.

 

[ujoint]

Scared me many years ago too!

 

[Ranchero]

Not sure if I'll do a 4wd conversion on this van or not. I may hold out for a diesel if I go that route, but I wanted to test the waters with a full size camper van to replace my Syncro.

I'm curious about what you come up with. I'm in the same boat. I like how quiet and solid the E350 is, but it is a drag to drive compared to the Syncro. Also I've noticed that my Syncro attracts cute hippie girls and my van attracts homely dudes.

I just had the same scare with that tranny plug a few months ago. Whew! I thought about putting it back in the pan for the next guy!

 

[DAV!D]

I'm curious about what you come up with. I'm in the same boat. I like how quiet and solid the E350 is, but it is a drag to drive compared to the Syncro. Also I've noticed that my Syncro attracts cute hippie girls and my van attracts homely dudes.

I just had the same scare with that tranny plug a few months ago. Whew! I thought about putting it back in the pan for the next guy!

Actually, I love driving my Syncro.. (well technically it's still 2wd as I haven't done the front drive line swap yet). There is just no other van than can compare to the Vanagon as far as driving goes. The cab over combined with all the room in such a small van is honestly unbeatable as a daily driver & full time campervan. (I full time live in mine)

The reason I'm doing a full size van, is to support my travels and always on the go life style I started an ebay/Amazon business that I want to make mobile. Basically I'm building a raised platform rear bed and all my inventory will be stored under the bed accessed from the rear doors. I just couldn't do this with the Vanagon. With a full size I can carry my inventory and ship stuff on the road as it sells. With the vanagon, I had to set up a temp shop somewhere with a storage unit and stay local to that area.

If not for the business, I'd probably stay with the vanagon, although sometimes having the typical mechanical issues from a 30 year old van does wear on you. It is always a bit stressful wondering if something is going to break. The motor I put in my Syncro was bulletproof but there was still the rest of the van to worry about.. lol

 

[coolfeet]

I own the E350 extended 2wd drive. I installed Bilstein shocks and Michelin AT2 tires. While not a synchro, it really drives nice on long trips. It smooths out bumps on the national forest roads like King Kong. I like the storage of the E350 extended van and unlimited parts at Amazon, Ebay, and wrecking yards all over the US.

The plug you found says your pan has never been dropped. No worries as long as the fluid has been flushed. I have the 5 speed Ford tranny on my diesel van. If I owned your van, I would search for Mark Kovalski's tranny flush. You really need to flush all your fluid. A rebuilt tranny is going to set you back $2500.

I used this method on my E350 and Subaru Outback. No regrets.