HELP! Transmission Filter

[Chief Brody]

The filter kit thst I bought doesn't look exactly like the one that came out of it. The gasket is perfect fit, but my new filter is square...

the original is odd shaped and the filter part was install downward.

Do I install the new one with the filter side up or the filter side down?

 

[ccarley]

What transmission do you have?

 

[Chief Brody]

What transmission do you have?

THM350

I bought the filter kit at NAPA...I was ready to put the pan back on, I had already applied a light bead of Ultra Black to hold the gasket in place when I had second thoughts about the filter. It looked a lot different than the one tha was in it.
My new filter was completely square and when installed the metal has to face the bottom of the pan.
I called NAPA and they said that it's just a different newer design filter and the filter goes on that way and is submerged in the fluid.

 

[groovy75]

I would just call the company who makes the filter kit after the holidays ,and ask them. Better safe than sorry. Wish I could help more did the filter come w any instructions? Or Pics?

 

[K85 Octane]

and who the hecks to say the old one was right lol

 

[DizturbedOne]

I worked at an Aamco for about 8 months and did pretty much nothing but filter changes, flushes, removal and reinstallation, etc. Let me tell you...... I've probably seen 3 or 4 different filters for any single transmission in that short time span. Some of them I've seen like 6 or 7 different variations, they rarely look the same between manufacturers and even among the same manuf. they tend to change over time.

If the depth is correct to be sufficiently submerged in fluid (completely under the fluid level in your pan), and the gasket/ring at the top mates snugly to the orifice, it's the right one.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Most 350's use the square type filter, the odd shaped filter with the Dacron filter element was used in lock-up applications, the odd shape was to clear the solenoid.

 

[Chief Brody]

Most 350's use the square type filter, the odd shaped filter with the Dacron filter element was used in lock-up applications, the odd shape was to clear the solenoid.

What is a "lock-up" application?

 

[Greg Ducato]

Beginning in 1980, GM used a locking torque converter in the TH-350 as a means to reduce engine rpm.This is refered to as a "Lock-Up" style transmission and converter. The trans uses a converter clutch solenoid bolted to a small auxillary valve body with both a hot wire and ground wire. If you use a square type filter on the lock-up trans, the filter can hit the solenoid, causing it to ground out.

 

[Pookster]

I wouldnt worry about it, as long as it has fit clearance. THere are so many odd variations in a lot of mfged parts.

 

[Chief Brody]

Beginning in 1980, GM used a locking torque converter in the TH-350 as a means to reduce engine rpm.This is refered to as a "Lock-Up" style transmission and converter. The trans uses a converter clutch solenoid bolted to a small auxillary valve body with both a hot wire and ground wire. If you use a square type filter on the lock-up trans, the filter can hit the solenoid, causing it to ground out.

Wonder why my transmission had this type filter?

 

[Greg Ducato]

Some rebuilders like to install them if there was a lot of metal in the system/cooler as the dacron element does a better job of filtering fine particulates, such as those that could hang up a solenoid or shift valve/governor. Or, maybe it was the only one they had in stock at the time? No way to know...

 

[lectric80]

Mine had the square filter on a lockup trans and the replacement filter was exactly the same design. No issue with it hitting the lockup solenoid at all. Not that it matters since I didn't use a lockup converter, and I am going to replace the trans early next year.