[Ruggels]

like i said i dont see why they would drain it then put more fluid in it or even drain it partially, believe me i know how strict california laws are but every single plug i pulled at the yard had quite a lot of fluid in them, all ranging in colors and textures, the one i ended up taking was cherry red and drained about total 8 quarts (i brought a pan and a few large containers) knowing the transmissions had fluid in them from my previous trip to another yard of the same company.... unless for some strange reason like i said before someone, drained the pan installed the plug then refilled with the same fluid.... and thats a 100% waste of time for a yard to do...

but i guess it has to be from the yard, ill ask em next time im in, and it holds up just fine it dosnt tear when pulling out, sits very firm, and has never leaked at all, i dont see how it could be a disaster in motion.

[peva]

This is a funny thread!

[Adpros]

Yep. I have to assume they put threads on the oil pan and the engine plugs for a reason. It would stand to reason as well that if there was a transmission plug in the pan, it should be threaded as well. For the record, there are AFAIK, not many domestic vehicles since the 1960's that are factory built with a drain plug in the trans pan. LH cars 1993 - 2004 included.

EDIT: BTW, the reason the pans seem to be full of juice after the pan was spiked and plugged is because the torque converter tends to drain slowly and if the yard just blew a hole in the pan then plugged it when the fluid stopped flowing, you could get a large amount of fluid to drain out of the converter afterwards.

[mirada6.0]

So, Dana44, have you decided what you are gonna do?

[Dana44]

Just gonna do what people have said, drain the pain, clean it, change filter, and gasket, replace with fresh fluid.

Why is it funny? Because I am asking a question so I don't screw my car up? or because I have a really hard time wording my post and make myself seem like a complete and total oblivious idiot? Laugh all ya want mate, I'm just not gonna screw my car up. Asking what may seem like "Stupid" questions to you may not seem stupid to me. How I got through college.

[peva]

C. None of the above. I thought the discussion of the "drain" plug was funny. Don't read anything else into it. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

I could see myself saying "Hey guys - *every* LH car tranny in the scrap yard I've ever seen has a rubber drain plug in the pan, so don't tell me there's no drain plug!!" "But, Bill - some of the yards drill a hole in the pans to drain them and then stick a rubber plug in to stop further dripping onto the ground." "Oh." I thought that part of the thread was funny because I could see myself being that guy - IOW laughing at myself as much as anything.

[mirada6.0]

Yeah, like PEVA said, the laugh wasn't directed at you. There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
BTW, I would definitely use a parts cleaner on that pan when you get to it. The magnet, plus any cracks, nooks and crannies will trap some gunk unless hosed out. I know from experience. Just don't get any cleaner inside the actual trans, and make sure the pan is clean and dry before re-installing it.
If you've ever taken a motorcycle clutch apart, you'll be familiar with "wet clutch packs" of which there are two in that trans., and normal wear of the friction discs will make up most of the sludge in the pan. And leave the open trans drain as long as convenient.
Enjoy!

[mnitetrain]

I would say at this point tap and thread a proper drain plug in it.

[Adpros]

The only issue with that would be there are no drain plugs I know of that will seal well against sheet metal. I would recommend taking the pan to a light duty welder and have a backing washer welded in and then thread the hole. Assuming that the hole isn't in a spot that will interfere with the filter.

Best bet IMHO is to get a new or used pan w/o the hole.