You can break a bolt or worst case, strip the bolt hole or even crack the pan or trans housing, it is only mag aluminum. These parts come assembled and ready for your repair. Place your pan on a table or other clean surface. I've searched all over and I've not been able to find out the gas mileage on this vehicle. Just run your finger round when done, this will clean it and pack the sealer into the joint.
I have warn transmission fluid many times. Clean it also to bare metal. Let it drip while you climb from under the truck with the transmission pan and the old filter. Reason being you have a controlled trickle from the rear. I have not been able to verify this as of yet. If not, bring it there making sure you don't drastically over fill the transmission.
A long block consists of the engine block, pistons, heads, and valvetrain. Once the bolt is lined up, tighten it about half way. First, get a drain pan that is larger than the trans pan. Just don't rush, no ones going to judge you on time. Your risk from exposure to these chemicals varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. I would love to find out if someone out there knows!!! But like I said, you don't have to use synthetic fluid, but I recommend it because transmissions are not cheap and this will lessen your chances of replacement. But this way, they are able to flush out 100% of the fluid.
There are two way's to accomplish this. I make it seem like a long process, but I include alot of detail so you have no problems and you know what to expect. Make sure you get the gasket out the hole the neck went up into. Normal driving is okay, nothing special. One can ought to do it for cleaning the pan.
Place the dip stick back in and check to see if it it registering on the dipstick yet. The 7400 series was retired in 2001. You want to use this to have the gasket stick to the pan for seal and also to help you while you are placing the pan back on the trans. If you blow your engine or notice that it burns too much oil, smokes, taps, or knocks, it might be best to replace the entire engine. Service shops and dealerships have these. But no biggie either way.
When I started doing things like this there was no message boards like this. Once out from under the truck, you must clean the pan before reinstalling it. It can be fun, or more so the end result and it saves a boat load of money. If you remove all the bolts at once, you will have the pan fall with 4 to 5 Quarts of trans fluid all over the place. If it is, start the engine.
Chris I'm thinking of buying a 2000 Chevy 2500 with a 7. You can get a higher number, for this is an advanced product as technology advances. It will ooze out if it is way too much. Once all the bolts are started you can finish then to hand tighten. This will need to be removed down to bare metal before you put it back on the truck. Not heavy like I can barley hold it, just awkward.
If not, take a slotted screwdriver and lightly pry the pan from the case. But considering it had 4. Let it run for a few seconds. Sometimes the pan will have a indent or some other sort of marking that you will need to match up or make sure it is on correctly. Once the tighten them up with your socket and ratchet also working corners first, the field, left side, right side and front and back. The engine has multi-port fuel injection for induction of fuel. These can all be signs of engine failure.