Been working with WC-t5's for a while now, building a strip only 5.0 mustang (347W stroker ) But recently got a 92 suburban
(gm 350 crate motor) I'm so lame I forgot how to check the fluid level I know it's done with the motor running, but do you set the transmission in park or drive with the parking brake on?
Also, Is it bad to drain the fluid by pulling a hose to the trans cooler and running the fluid out of it with the motor on? Should I just drop the trans pan? I don't want to risk getting dirt/grime in the valve bodies. I got some trick shift fluid lying around and the wot shifts seem a bit soggy (compared to my camaro's).
It may have something to do with the 35"tires though.....

Thanks

 

Drive your car around for a while, let it get up to operating temperature, put it through all the gears and then park it and leave the engine idling. Check the dipstick, and the fluid should reach the "full hot" mark if everything is working properly.

I wouldn't recommend draining the fluid with the engine on at all. I kind of doubt that pulling transmission cooler line would empty the transmission fluid (more like coolant, if it's hooked up to the radiator like our cars). Just drop the pan.

Make sure you replace the filter when you drop the pan.

 

acttually quite a lot of fluid will come out if you disconnect one of those lines. for some reason theres an external filter on the line that goes to the radiator on mine and one of the rubber hoses recently cracked. when i put a new one on one of the clamps wasnt tight enough and i started the car. it wasnt running for 2 minutes and my garage floor was covered in the stuff.

 

i wouldn't try to drain it with the engine running as you will run the tranny dry and very possibly damage components. factory coolers are mounted inside the radiator and tranny fluid runs to it. the above mentioned way of checking your tranny fluid is good, but you need to pull the pan to drain it.you aren't gonna get anymore dirt in the valve body than what is already there. buy a drain plug kit for htte ranny if you are worried about a mess for next time. they are easy to install.