Hmmm...thanks for all the advice guys. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and be terrified as all get out along the way. 

> On Mar 9, 2016, at 9:52 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Sometimes these gaskets are hard to get in place. Some of them are not sized
> right and need to be stretched and glued on the pan to get them to seat at
> all. If the gasket was on and sealing and then failed in use you have a
> symptom! The transmission is overheating and the gasket will be brittle and
> cracked when you remove it. You need to find the cause of the overheating.
> If it is getting hot enough to damage the pan gasket the seals and pistons
> inside will not fare much better and an overhaul will be needed. If really
> unlucky you will need to add the cost of a tow home.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Michael
> Sent: Wednesday, March 9, 2016 10:40 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Trans pan gasket
> 
> Hey guys,
> 
> I had my transmission gasket fail awhile back and I'm going to replace it
> soon. Seems straight forward:
> 
> Drain the oil
> Take off the pan
> Remove gasket residue
> Replace gasket and pan
> Fill with oil
> 
> Anything I'm missing or is it jus as simple as that?
> 
> Never done it before but at one point that statement was true for all the
> work I've done on the van
> 
> Any insight is appreciated.
> 
> Mike
> 88 auto w/ac