Introduction
These instructions are based on the instructions supplied by Factory Tech with the purchase of the valve body.
Always consult their installation instructions for any updates in the procedure.
Goal
The goal of this install is to improve factory shifting to firm, crisp shifts in all gears.
The Factory Tech Valve Body is a complete accumulator re-calibrated for a shorter shift duration, which decreases heat generated and reduces slippage and wears on the friction plates.
This valve body is tuned for an aftermarket chip to leave all transmission settings in stock.
Required Tools:
- 13mm socket (3/8″ ratchet)
- 10mm socket (1/4″ & 3/8″ ratchet for transmission pan bolts)
- 8mm socket (1/4″ ratchet)
- inch-lb torque wrench
- ft-lb torque wrench
- 8-quart transmission drain pan
Products needed:
- Factory Tech Valve Body
- Transmission filter (if you won’t be reusing your existing filter)
- Quarts Mercon transmission fluid
Time Requirements
2-3 hours
Difficulty
3 out of 10 (1 being easiest, 10 being hardest)
Steps
1: Remove the transmission pan
1.) Using your 3/8″ ratchet and 13mm socket, drain the transmission by removing the drain plug on the bottom of the transmission.
This takes a while, keep an eye on the drain pan and be ready to swap to a second pan when the first one fills up!
2.) Reinstall the drain plug
3.) Using your 3/8″ and 1/4″ ratchets, remove all twenty (20) 10mm transmission pan bolts.
The bolts on the rear of the transmission require a small set of hands/fingers to reach as the cross member obstructs access to these bolts.
Begin by removing all of the bolts except those at the four corners of the pan.
4.) Drop the transmission pan and lay it underneath the transmission on the ground (this’ll help catch additional fluid that drops and will also serve as a good spot to place the transmission filter in the next step.
5.) Remove the transmission pan gasket by hand (you may need a screwdriver to gently pry it loose). Set this on top of the transmission pan as this is a reusable gasket.
2: Remove the transmission filter
1.) The filter is held in place by a peach-colored seal at the pump inlet (towards the front of the vehicle).
Remove the filter with a twisting motion or you may use a screwdriver to pry it loose.
It should drop out with very little effort. Note that it will still be full of transmission fluid.
Keep the filter level as you remove it and dump it out into the nearby drain pan.
Place the filter in the transmission pan (if you’ll be reusing it), otherwise discard the filter.
2.) If you won’t be reusing the filter, be sure to pry out the seal, but be careful not to scratch the sealing surface.
Your new filter will come with a new seal, so you can throw the old one away.
If you are keeping your existing transmission filter, then you may leave the seal in place.
Read: COMMON PARTS OF AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3: Locate and remove the accumulator
1.) With the filter removed, locate the accumulator. It is the rectangular valve body located at the front of the transmission.
Use your new valve body to compare.
2.) It is held in place with eleven (11) 8mm bolts and two (2) 10mm nuts. Remove the bolts and loosen the nuts.
About 1/2 quart of fluid is held by the “worm trail” in the accumulator. Slowly lower the accumulator to avoid a spill.
NOTE, when loosening the bolts, tranny fluid will begin to seep out so be sure to have a drain pan positioned below the transmission on the floor to catch the spillover.
3.) At this time, a small screen may fall from the separator plate. Simply pop the screen back in and rotate it 180 degrees to lock it.
It will only fit in the correct hole.
4: Install the new valve body
1.) Install the new Factory Tech valve body over the studs and hold it in place loosely with the two (2) 10mm nuts.
2.) Replace and finger-tighten all eleven (11) 8mm bolts. Using your inch-lb torque wrench, tighten all bolts and nuts to 80-100 inch-lb, working from the center bolts on the valve body outward.
5: (Re)install the filter and replace the transmission pan
1.) If you are installing a new transmission filter, spray WD-40 on the new filter seal and install the filter.
The filter will press into the pump inlet and snap into palce.
If you are reinstalling your original filter, press the filter into the pump inlet and it will snap into place.
2.) Clean the transmission pan and the magnet at the bottom of the transmission pan of any debris.
3.) Place the original transmission pan gasket on the transmission pan.
4.) Reinstall the transmission pan by finger tightening the pan bolts. Pan bolts should be tightened to 11-12 ft-lbs.
Read: 5 CAUSES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS AND REPAIR COST
6: Fill and finish
1.) Fill the transmission by pouring fluid into the dipstick tube.
If your truck now has a deep pan, refill with 6 quarts of Mercon. With the factory pan, refill with 5 quarts.
2.) Start the engine and run the gear selector slowly through all the gears (including 2 and 1) and then return to the park.
3.) Wait 30 seconds with the engine running and then check the fluid level and add fluid if necessary.
4.) Take your vehicle for a test drive, using all the gears (including 2 and 1).
5.) Check the transmission pan for leaks and check the transmission fluid level the next two times you stop for fuel.
READ: HOW DOES AN OIL SUMP WORK IN YOUR CAR?
Additional Questions or Comments?
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