Dropping the pan to change the transmission filter and clean the magnet off today. It’s going extremely well! I used an oil pan separator to get the pan off. I started at a corner and tapped it in with a nylon mallet. It was difficult but made the task possible in about 10 minutes. It’s about 9 years old so there was no way I was going to be able to just pull the pan off. Tapping it with a mallet around the perimeter of the pan is extremely awkward. I did about 3/4 of the pan, and it pulled off easily. I had the car on the ground but having it up on jackstands would allow better ergonomics, but I just really don’t care for working under a car on stands.
I used Motorcraft silicon gasket remover to get the old material off the pan. I applied it liberally and immediately went to work with a plastic scraper. That took the big chunks off in strips. I continued to apply the gasket remover and switched to a brass brush. I scrubbed and scrubbed while applying more gasket remover and it was all off within 15 minutes. It left the mating surface a little dull from the brush but it didn’t remove any of the finish from the pan. I had to rinse liberally with water to get all of the debris off the pan. I’ll follow up with purple power degreaser and a heavy rinsing with water to ensure the gasket remover residue is gone.
I won’t be able to spray the gasket remover on the transmission mating surface though. It comes out fast even from a straw and it’ll likely get in the transmission. Applying it with a rag might be the way to go, but it may not be necessary. There is very little silicone on the transmission. Some degreaser applied with a rag and wiping down with water might be all I need to do.
I ordered new transmission pan bolts for the job. It may not be necessary because mine look great. The threads on the old bolts do have some silicone on them though so I’m fine replacing them with the new clean bolts.