How did the trans magnet get out?

[htchbck]

... and more importantly how can i keep it from getting out again? Picked up a broken stock trans from Jerry the other day to fix for FestEvil (88Ls need 5speeds too ) He and i assumed it had a bad shift gate since it first wouldn't go into all the gears that go "up" in the pattern (1st 3rd 5th) and then it got stuck in fourth. Took it apart this morning and found that the shift gate was fine, it was just that the magnet got out of it's retainer on the bottom of the case and magneted itself to the shift gate blocking movement. Anyone know a good way to make sure that magnet stays down there? Nothing appears broken anywhere, just that the magnet somehow found a way out of it's cage.

[Pu241]

Not familiar with the arrangement.
But consider an epoxy to hold it in place.
Make sure you get the right kind and it should do the job.
On the other hand is a way to remove it without causing a down side?

[Damkid]

You could probably get away with not having the magnet in there, but it wouldn't be the best idea to go without it for the long term

[htchbck]

Oh, the magnet is staying lol. I was glad to find it was very clean though, so I don't think anymore damage was done inside. I think I'm going to put a same sized washer on the back side of it so it will be too thick to slip out Still concerning that it came out in the first place though. Oh well, at least I should have a good trans by the end of the day!

[iceracerdude]

This is what engineering's original credo was by the way:
"Simplicity is the key note to functional design"

Replace the drain plug with a magnetic one! Simple huh?
And yeah, you can even clean it occasionally

What you see with that magnet design, is an unsucessfull blend of accounting with engineering.

Here's another one: the "space pen" a pen designed to even write upside down in a zero gravity envirionment! Co$t to de$ign $50,000+

my solution: take a pencil

[htchbck]

Sounds like a winner! Any suggestions on where to find a magnetic plug with the right thread/pitch?

[TominMO]

Sounds like a winner! Any suggestions on where to find a magnetic plug with the right thread/pitch?

This might possibly help: http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/purc...threadsize.php

You will need to determine your thread size and pitch first.

[iceracerdude]

First get your hands on one of these to see what size bolt you need:



they've usually got them at the local hardware store. I've only got an empty (devoid of fluid) "f" trans here to measure for you, but I can't presume they use the same size bolt.
Anyway, a trip to the hardware store will not only tell you what size bolt it is, but you can do a thread pitch comparison while you're there as well.
Then it's off to your local autoparts store.
The alternative is, someone here might be able to tell you the size and pitch, and then you can use the internet to grab a "magnetic oil drain bolt"
Now when I say "the internet" I mean start at ebay, as opposed to say, someplace "pricey" like a Harely Davidson after market parts supplier. Ha, ha, ha
Try to stay away from the ones with a black "o" ring too.

[TominMO]

If anyone finds out what size and pitch the drain plugs are (for both the manual and auto trannies), please post it here.