What is the best 700 R4 pan gasket ?

[Learpilot]

What is the best pan gasket for the 700 R4 trans that does not leak ? I know it is probability the installer "me" , but I can't seem to stop it from leaking. I have a aluminum pan that is 1/4" thick at the base. I checked it for flatness before installing. I also checked the bottom of the trans. I have the rubber gasket that came with the pan. Do you use some kind of sealer ? I torqued the bolts to 15 lbs. Do you use flat or lock washers on the pan bolts ? I have new metric bolts also.
Thanks in advance !!!
Rick Harris

[Okiedokie]

I had a similar eperience and after replacing two pans an experienced wrench asked if I was 100% sure it was not the dipstick oring. It was indeed. Leaking on the backside of the tube and I could not see it. Joe

[rooster]

I to had a leak but it was from where the shift linkage shaft stuck out of the trans, had to get a special tool to remove old seal and replace the  new one.

[Learpilot]

The dip stick is not leaking. All the pan bolts have fluid on them.
Thanks ,
Rick Harris

[58 Yeoman]

Back a hundred years or so ago, when I was in college and used to rebuild auto's, we used vaseline on the gaskets, and didn't tighten them so tight that they would warp the pan...just snugged them up.

[slocrow]

Rick; Just a thought; maybe it's over filled and running over the case and down from the blow off tube which is top & center. About a 1/4' dia & 2" long. Yeah, I know, the front bolts are probably dry which eliminates that thought but I just had to mention it.
I too thought dip stick but if you're sure then elsewhere lies the problem.
I hate to suggest a damaged front seal and if there was no leak before the pan replacement then it's pretty much the pan, I guess.
I'd put the old one back on and see if it stops. Gaskets can't be that costly these days.............Frank

[Crosley.In.AZ]

duarprene paper type gaskets.  they have a sealant compound on them.

10-12 foot pounds is plenty of torque on the bolts.

some aluminum pans can develop cracks along the pan rail edge of the pan it's self.

[40_Tudor]

Get a gasket from your GM dealer that has metal spacers in bolt holes so you can't smash the gasket.
GM trans leak fluid out of the shifter o-ring if they sits for extended periods. Converter drains into pan and over fills it.