Transmission--could it be the wrong year

[kcburf_7]

Here is the deal...I bought this 91 q45 last summer and I have been trying to figure out this delimma. I saw that the trans was slipping and it started to leak a little...So I took the pan off and there were a few bolts in the pan. I got a new trany fliter and put it on...When I went to put the gasket on the pan...It didnt fit...There was a little cut out the pan had that the gasket didnt cover...I tried to use gasket maker, but it still leaked. I think that someone put the wrong year transmission into the car, so that the 91 q45 transmission filter wont fit....So should I take the car into the shop and have them find a vin# or something so they can tell me what year transmission someone put into my car...If I match the transmissino filter with the right transmission, it should solve the problem right? I am baffeled that someone would put the wrong year of transmission into a car? What do you think I should do/????

[DrewQ45]

I have an extra transmission pan at home. I will post up a pic of it later when I get home (at work right now) that way you can tell if it will fit.

I'll let you have it at a very reasonable price if you wish and it also has a Drain plug.... a big plus

....Drew...

Edit: I may not have read your post right, but I'm leaving work now so no time to edit. Later

[Q45tech]

there were a few bolts in the pan ?

Not unusual for junk yards and shade trees to try anything to get a abused car functioning so it can be sold to some unsuspecting buyer.

We see lots of awful retrofits: engines, transmission, driveshaft, diff, AC systems.

[DrewQ45]

Here is the deal...I bought this 91 q45 last summer and I have been trying to figure out this delimma. I saw that the trans was slipping and it started to leak a little...So I took the pan off and there were a few bolts in the pan. I got a new trany fliter and put it on...When I went to put the gasket on the pan...It didnt fit...There was a little cut out the pan had that the gasket didnt cover...I tried to use gasket maker, but it still leaked. I think that someone put the wrong year transmission into the car, so that the 91 q45 transmission filter wont fit....So should I take the car into the shop and have them find a vin# or something so they can tell me what year transmission someone put into my car...If I match the transmissino filter with the right transmission, it should solve the problem right? I am baffeled that someone would put the wrong year of transmission into a car? What do you think I should do/????

Okay, I took my time and read your post.... but it's still confusing. So you're saying the transmission filter AND the pan gaskets are wrong or did you type filter when you meant gasket only? That's kind of tough to accomplish since 90-96 all use the same shape pan and the same filter (someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Only two transmission models for these years and the only real physical differences are in the gearing which you can't see. I believe the 93' may fluctuate between the two types depending on production date. There is a small metal tag on passenger side near the tail which has the transmission type stamped on it.

Transmission Specs:

90-92

RE4R03A 51x65 transmission 4 speed autoGear Ratio1st 2.784:12nd 1.544:13rd 1.000:14th 0.694:1R200V viscous limited slip differentialFinal Drive Ratio: 3.54:1

93-96

RE4R03A 51x79 transmission4 speed autoGear Ratio1st 2.569:12nd 1.479:13rd 1.000:14th 0.694:1R200V viscous limited slip differentialFinal Drive Ratio: 3.54:1

BTW Tech, please reeducate me on the reason why one should avoid the 91' transmission when replacing. I think Wes had asked the reason for that in another post but I couldn't recall your past reasoning.

...Drew...

[Q45tech]

As I remember the 91 TCU software was the only change, all the 91 that failed got a new transmission, a new tcu, and a new radiator and assorted tricks like the mini cooler at AT.

So if anything avoid 91 TCU if you have a choice?

Don't think the transmission itself was different..............but that has been 15 years?

[DrewQ45]

As I remember the 91 TCU software was the only change, all the 91 that failed got a new transmission, a new tcu, and a new radiator and assorted tricks like the mini cooler at AT.

So if anything avoid 91 TCU if you have a choice?

Don't think the transmission itself was different..............but that has been 15 years?

I recall many mentions of the 91' being less desirable from long ago discussion on the yahoo board. Too bad, those are now gone.

...Drew...