69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

[Greg L.]

Does anyone know how the appearance of these pans differ over the years? The one I have is pitted and dented a bit which is typical of Canadian cars so I would like to replace it. I'll be at the Pomona swap meet next month and then plan on hitting a few wreckers up in the bay area and Modesto area and would like to pick up a typical nice clean California one.

This is the one that I have.
I know that the THM 400 was used for quite a few years and that some say "Turbo Hydramatic" on them so those are wrong. I also read in the archives that GM sells a deep dish one so I don't want that one either. What I want is one that looks the same as mine without the dents and pits obviously...I just need to know what year and model ranges used this configuration.

Thanks.

Greg Linton
#45455

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

Greg------

You should find the pan you need on just about any 1968 through 1984 THM-400-equipped passenger car or truck. The pickings will be quite slim during the last 5-8 years of this period as the THM-400's use was drastically curtailed after about 1976. Also, some of the pans after about 1976 may have the Turbo-Hydramatic script embossed on them. So, your best bet is to look for a 1968-76 vehicle.

You need the pan with the TWO dimples and NO "heelprint" depression. You cannot use a pan with 3 dimples and the "heelprint".

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

Thanks Joe...what do you mean by "heelprint"?

I'll take a pic of my original one when I go so that I can match it up now that I know what years to look at.

[Michael H.]

Re: 69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

Greg,

Here's a page from GM that shows the early and late pans and related filters. The "heelprint" that Joe refered to is visible on the early pan.

[D S.]

Re: 69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

Gregg, I have the same problem you do except mine had a small hole in it. My mechanic repaired it but I want a nice one for a replacement. Thinking I could just find one on eBay proved to be a dream. The last one I saw on eBay with only the two dimples went for over $75 a year ago. Being a salvage yard hound I took to searching for one there. After hitting 10-15 salvage yards the only one I saw was attached to the transmission and it would be sold with the transmission only. Swap meets? I attend seven a year and haven't seen one in the last two years. So, if you find three keep two for yourself and please email me about the other one.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 THM 400 oil pan differences.

Thanks for the pic Michael, I don't remember seeing that "heelprint" but then again most of my GM stuff is all 67 and newer. At least now I know what it is.

Scott thanks for the encouragement on finding a pan. I really didn't think they would be that hard to find or expensive but then again I've never looked for one before either! I'll keep both eyes open(one for me and one for you) and maybe I'll get lucky and find a couple of them.

Greg