drilled hole in transmission - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Magnus-stepper · 02-24-2014, 10:36 AM

Like the title say, I managed to drill a hole in the transmisson housing.. Now im frustrating and dont know what to do. The hole is about 7 or 8 mm. I used a 13 mm but it did not go all the way thru.

What to do? Can i use som kind of sealing og press something in there. I dont think much metal got in the hole.
Is there any pressure in there?

PanelDeland · 02-24-2014, 10:38 AM

You need to give more info.What kind of transmission?Where is the Hole?Cast iron or aluminum?And most of all,everyone's going to be curious as to how you did it?

Magnus-stepper · 02-24-2014, 10:52 AM

Oh i forgot. Its a 350 automatic. The hole is on the top Ca 380 mm from the engine. Aluminium
I was installing the shifter and was drilling a hole for the shifter wire. Everything happend so fast, to much pressure on the drill maybe...?

Im thinking to press a bolt in with sealing on?

1968k10blue · 02-24-2014, 12:03 PM

I would say to find someone who can weld aluminum

hugger6933 · 02-24-2014, 12:26 PM

Is it in the bellhousing part? Or is it back farther than that?

stepsider · 02-24-2014, 12:35 PM

I would use JB weld. After its sets up run it to a tranny shop & ask them.

hounddogs! · 02-24-2014, 12:44 PM

380mm back from the engine = 15". He's probably past the bellhousing and into the main body.

Once you get the trans out and locate a welder of aluminum, a good fix would be to find aluminum round stock and open the hole to that size (8mm, 10mm...) Cut a piece maybe 50mm long and locate it so that it's just flush with the inside of the casting (no new material extending into the case). Weld the pin to the case, filling up your drilled area and cut the long part of the pin flush with the outside.

If the case is thick enough to cut at least 3 threads, I might drill and tap to M8x 1.0 or even M8x 0.75 and install a short bolt as a plug. JB weld the bolt into place. No welding needed, but not as complete of a fix either.

Fldawg · 02-24-2014, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepsider

I would use JB weld. After its sets up run it to a tranny shop & ask them.

I would dolike stepsidder said jb weld it see what happens, if it works cheap fix ,if not than theres plenty of turbo 350 out there. good luck

solidaxel · 02-24-2014, 03:14 PM

I have used lead ball flattened to the size of the hole "tapped" it into the hole, and for a bit of insurance you could scuff up the outside around the hole and as suggested cover all with some JB Weld.
I may try to open up a larger hole in the sheet metal floor to get a better shot at sealing the opening.
As mentioned you can always find another 350, or R & R and repair!

pwdcougar · 02-24-2014, 03:30 PM

Screw in a short bolt or screw with teflon tape?

mr48chev · 02-24-2014, 03:33 PM

Gents, he is in Norway and may not have easy access to a turbo 350 core to get a case like many of us do here.

Magnus-Stepper the best way to fix it is to replace the case. That isn't hard and if the trans was in great shape would only require a few gaskets and some time. You pull the whole inside assembly out of one case and put it in another.

There probably isn't room on the inside to be able to tap the hole with pipe threads and put a pipe plug in the hole but that would be an option along with driving in a plug like the round one suggested and sealing over it with some epoxy or JB weld.

Another option may be to pull the trans, pull the internals out and have the case welded, touch the inside up with a die grinder, clean it up and reassemble it. I think you can get by with just a front pump gasket and a valve body gasket if you don't disturb anything else. We pulled the drive assembly out of a Buick transmisson and put it in my brother's Chevy transmission one time when he was broke and I had a good Buick turbo 350 laying in the corner getting in the way.

The last time I heard the "drilled the hole in the top' story It was a customer who came in the Pontiac dealership I worked in in Waco, TX bringing a car he had sold a few days before bringing it back because the trans had sprung a leak. Yes sir, the person who had bought the car had drilled a hole through the transmission hump to mount some sort of electronic device and had drilled through the top of the trans case. A new trans case and gasket set for that one.

Gumby · 02-24-2014, 04:19 PM

Ya know there is already vents holes up in that area, all you did was nearly make a new vent. If it ain't puking fluid out stock vent hole...........

Eddie H. · 02-24-2014, 04:43 PM

I knew a guy who shot a hole in his transmission, but that 30.06 round did considerably more damage than a drill bit would.

Lattimer · 02-24-2014, 05:47 PM

JB Weld

**Wrenchbender Ret** · 02-24-2014, 05:58 PM

Put a sheet metal screw in it with epocy sealer or RTV.

**Tom Vogel** · 02-24-2014, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Put a sheet metal screw in it with epocy sealer or RTV.

There you go.^^^ easy fix.

mmiddle · 02-24-2014, 07:09 PM

JB Weld! There is no pressure on the case.
The best way would be to weld it back up. The second best is to tap it for a pipe fitting. A lead plug would also be a great fix. But, JB weld is cheap and easy and probably be a semi-permanent fix.
What ever you do... MAKE dang sure it does NOT extend past the wall of the case. Critical internal damage will quickly ensue.

Carl Spangler · 02-24-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnus-stepper

Like the title say, I managed to drill a hole in the transmisson housing.. Now im frustrating and dont know what to do. The hole is about 7 or 8 mm. I used a 13 mm but it did not go all the way thru.

What to do? Can i use som kind of sealing og press something in there. I dont think much metal got in the hole.
Is there any pressure in there?

If the hole "did not go all the way thru" then I would just fill the hole with JBweld. That stuff is crazy strong.

cheers
JohnG

**desertnick69** · 02-25-2014, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lattimer

JB Weld

simple and easy, mixed correctly last a long time!

Magnus-stepper · 02-25-2014, 04:04 AM

I put a little metale plate in the hole so the sealing wouldnt go down in the transmission. Now it will sit for a few days and dry up!

solidaxel · 02-25-2014, 04:13 AM

Mercy, what did you use to cut the floor sheet metal?

Magnus-stepper · 02-25-2014, 04:17 AM

Used a pair of bad metal scissors. The metal wil bend down again, no prob

**bigmac73** · 02-25-2014, 09:40 AM

geez brother invest in a good body saw or a cut off tool

Gumby · 02-25-2014, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmac73

geez brother invest in a good body saw or a cut off tool

not like he drilled 100s of holes close to each other, then used a wire cutter to snip the tiny piece left inbetween.

Eddie H. · 02-25-2014, 05:25 PM

If it is available in your area, I would recommend some of the thick JB weld epoxy putty
http://www.jbweld.com/product/j-b-steelstik/

02-24-2014, 10:36 AM	#1
Magnus-stepper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norway Posts: 28	drilled hole in transmission Like the title say, I managed to drill a hole in the transmisson housing.. Now im frustrating and dont know what to do. The hole is about 7 or 8 mm. I used a 13 mm but it did not go all the way thru. What to do? Can i use som kind of sealing og press something in there. I dont think much metal got in the hole. Is there any pressure in there?

02-24-2014, 10:38 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: drilled hole in transmission You need to give more info.What kind of transmission?Where is the Hole?Cast iron or aluminum?And most of all,everyone's going to be curious as to how you did it? __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

02-24-2014, 10:52 AM	#3
Magnus-stepper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norway Posts: 28	Re: drilled hole in transmission Oh i forgot. Its a 350 automatic. The hole is on the top Ca 380 mm from the engine. Aluminium I was installing the shifter and was drilling a hole for the shifter wire. Everything happend so fast, to much pressure on the drill maybe...? Im thinking to press a bolt in with sealing on? Last edited by Magnus-stepper; 02-24-2014 at 11:17 AM.

02-24-2014, 12:03 PM	#4
1968k10blue Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mahtomedi, Minnesota Posts: 335	Re: drilled hole in transmission I would say to find someone who can weld aluminum __________________ Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l

02-24-2014, 12:26 PM	#5
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,257	Re: drilled hole in transmission Is it in the bellhousing part? Or is it back farther than that?

02-24-2014, 12:35 PM	#6
stepsider Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 207	Re: drilled hole in transmission I would use JB weld. After its sets up run it to a tranny shop & ask them.

02-24-2014, 12:44 PM	#7
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 886	Re: drilled hole in transmission 380mm back from the engine = 15". He's probably past the bellhousing and into the main body. Once you get the trans out and locate a welder of aluminum, a good fix would be to find aluminum round stock and open the hole to that size (8mm, 10mm...) Cut a piece maybe 50mm long and locate it so that it's just flush with the inside of the casting (no new material extending into the case). Weld the pin to the case, filling up your drilled area and cut the long part of the pin flush with the outside. If the case is thick enough to cut at least 3 threads, I might drill and tap to M8x 1.0 or even M8x 0.75 and install a short bolt as a plug. JB weld the bolt into place. No welding needed, but not as complete of a fix either. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

02-24-2014, 03:14 PM	#9
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: drilled hole in transmission I have used lead ball flattened to the size of the hole "tapped" it into the hole, and for a bit of insurance you could scuff up the outside around the hole and as suggested cover all with some JB Weld. I may try to open up a larger hole in the sheet metal floor to get a better shot at sealing the opening. As mentioned you can always find another 350, or R & R and repair! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

02-24-2014, 03:30 PM	#10
pwdcougar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,302	Re: drilled hole in transmission Screw in a short bolt or screw with teflon tape? __________________ "You know that little thing in your head that keeps you from saying things you shouldn't? Yeah well, I don't have one of those" 1969 Mercury Cougar Standard 4 speed 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible 1970 4WD Chevrolet Suburban 1997 4WD Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Short Bed (purchased new January 1997)

02-24-2014, 03:33 PM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,284	Re: drilled hole in transmission Gents, he is in Norway and may not have easy access to a turbo 350 core to get a case like many of us do here. Magnus-Stepper the best way to fix it is to replace the case. That isn't hard and if the trans was in great shape would only require a few gaskets and some time. You pull the whole inside assembly out of one case and put it in another. There probably isn't room on the inside to be able to tap the hole with pipe threads and put a pipe plug in the hole but that would be an option along with driving in a plug like the round one suggested and sealing over it with some epoxy or JB weld. Another option may be to pull the trans, pull the internals out and have the case welded, touch the inside up with a die grinder, clean it up and reassemble it. I think you can get by with just a front pump gasket and a valve body gasket if you don't disturb anything else. We pulled the drive assembly out of a Buick transmisson and put it in my brother's Chevy transmission one time when he was broke and I had a good Buick turbo 350 laying in the corner getting in the way. The last time I heard the "drilled the hole in the top' story It was a customer who came in the Pontiac dealership I worked in in Waco, TX bringing a car he had sold a few days before bringing it back because the trans had sprung a leak. Yes sir, the person who had bought the car had drilled a hole through the transmission hump to mount some sort of electronic device and had drilled through the top of the trans case. A new trans case and gasket set for that one. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

02-24-2014, 04:19 PM	#12
Gumby Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NW-Ohio Posts: 2,525	Re: drilled hole in transmission Ya know there is already vents holes up in that area, all you did was nearly make a new vent. If it ain't puking fluid out stock vent hole........... __________________ Chevy GMC Trucks Find Of The Day https://www.facebook.com/ChevyGmcTrucksFindOfTheDay or http://ChevyGMCTrucks.com

02-24-2014, 04:43 PM	#13
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	Re: drilled hole in transmission I knew a guy who shot a hole in his transmission, but that 30.06 round did considerably more damage than a drill bit would. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

02-24-2014, 05:47 PM	#14
Lattimer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Mickleton, NJ Posts: 1,776	Re: drilled hole in transmission JB Weld __________________ Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881

02-24-2014, 05:58 PM	#15
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,190	Re: drilled hole in transmission Put a sheet metal screw in it with epocy sealer or RTV.

02-24-2014, 07:09 PM	#17
mmiddle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Forestburg, Texas Posts: 659	Re: drilled hole in transmission JB Weld! There is no pressure on the case. The best way would be to weld it back up. The second best is to tap it for a pipe fitting. A lead plug would also be a great fix. But, JB weld is cheap and easy and probably be a semi-permanent fix. What ever you do... MAKE dang sure it does NOT extend past the wall of the case. Critical internal damage will quickly ensue. __________________ Mark Jesus is the Way! 2003 2500HD CCLB Duramax/Ali (Clifford) 2014 2SS/RS black on black Camaro (Betty) 2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE silver/black (Lula-Bell) 1970 C/10 Short Wide (Peggy) 1964 C/10 Short Step (Hambone) RIP Jimmy Hamilton Thank you for the trucks



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02-25-2014, 04:04 AM	#20
Magnus-stepper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norway Posts: 28	Re: drilled hole in transmission I put a little metale plate in the hole so the sealing wouldnt go down in the transmission. Now it will sit for a few days and dry up!

02-25-2014, 04:13 AM	#21
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: drilled hole in transmission Mercy, what did you use to cut the floor sheet metal? __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

02-25-2014, 04:17 AM	#22
Magnus-stepper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norway Posts: 28	Re: drilled hole in transmission Used a pair of bad metal scissors. The metal wil bend down again, no prob

02-25-2014, 09:40 AM	#23
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: drilled hole in transmission geez brother invest in a good body saw or a cut off tool __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks

02-25-2014, 05:25 PM	#25
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	Re: drilled hole in transmission If it is available in your area, I would recommend some of the thick JB weld epoxy putty http://www.jbweld.com/product/j-b-steelstik/ __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

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