Re: Ultramatic Transmission Pan Substitution
Posted by HH56 On 2016/10/23 9:06:29
I still think it should be relatively easy to adapt a modern universal dipstick and tube to the original Ultras. There are several different assys that looks like they could work. The illustration is one by Moroso and sold by Summit but there are several others that are similar with varying transmission ends. Also many stiff metal tube replacements for GM trans are available that would look more appropriate but would be harder to work with and adapt.
I believe the existing short fill tube and dipstick are only pressed into the Ultra case in a similar fashion to the engine oil filler tube. There should be no shortage of old Ultras where a second tube and cap assy could be sourced for fabrication purposes. Could be wrong but I don't remember there being any special treatment on the tube at the transmission end. The second cap would have the original dipstick removed and a hole drilled for the new dipstick tube. Depending on the type of tube mount it could be a simple hole where a nut tightens against O rings to hold the new dipstick tube or it might need to have a short smaller diameter tube or bushing brazed onto the cap so the new assy could push down inside the small tube or thread into the bushing. Once the inner gasket on the cap is ensured to be intact, when the cap is tightened to the tube there should be no leakage.
Irregardless of the mount method, using the original tube and dipstick the transmission is verified to have a specific level. The new dipstick could be tried and adjusted. Some of the universal dipsticks just need to have new fill marks made but If needed, the second Ultra tube could be shortened to make the new dipstick read properly when it is seated into the case. The old tube and cap could then be put on the shelf for contingencies.
With this method, in the unlikely event the new universal tube is inadequate or couldn't be used to fill the trans, the cap with new dipstick tube attached could still be removed and trans filled the old way. That wouldn't be possible if the stiff metal GM tube was used but with the stiff tube you shouldn't need to remove the cap either.
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I believe the existing short fill tube and dipstick are only pressed into the Ultra case in a similar fashion to the engine oil filler tube. There should be no shortage of old Ultras where a second tube and cap assy could be sourced for fabrication purposes. Could be wrong but I don't remember there being any special treatment on the tube at the transmission end. The second cap would have the original dipstick removed and a hole drilled for the new dipstick tube. Depending on the type of tube mount it could be a simple hole where a nut tightens against O rings to hold the new dipstick tube or it might need to have a short smaller diameter tube or bushing brazed onto the cap so the new assy could push down inside the small tube or thread into the bushing. Once the inner gasket on the cap is ensured to be intact, when the cap is tightened to the tube there should be no leakage.
Irregardless of the mount method, using the original tube and dipstick the transmission is verified to have a specific level. The new dipstick could be tried and adjusted. Some of the universal dipsticks just need to have new fill marks made but If needed, the second Ultra tube could be shortened to make the new dipstick read properly when it is seated into the case. The old tube and cap could then be put on the shelf for contingencies.
With this method, in the unlikely event the new universal tube is inadequate or couldn't be used to fill the trans, the cap with new dipstick tube attached could still be removed and trans filled the old way. That wouldn't be possible if the stiff metal GM tube was used but with the stiff tube you shouldn't need to remove the cap either.
Attach file:
(9.12 KB)
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