Nah, don't use thread locker on the pan bolts. Just snug up the bolts a little if needed after you drive it for awhile and you'll be good.
I torqued them to 11 , on a thick gasket like this should I go higher .
Remember, those case threads are aluminum and will not tolerate gorilla torquing! Just snug plus a little. I've never used a torque wrench on those bolts but go by feel. A 3/8" drive ratchet in the palm of my hand snug plus just a bit is all you need. Of course this assumes your case flange & pan flange are clean and the pan rail is straight!
I am using the same pan gasket and also have a deep aluminum pan (trans came from a motorhome). Just as Challenger RTA and Ricks72Chlgr440 have said, tighten the bolts by feel. I checked mine recently and saw some transmission fluid on the pan and garage floor. I found quite a few bolts were loose. I went through and tightened all of the bolts and no drips since. I also did not use any Loctite on those bolts.
Good to hear someone else has the same as me , I have them at 11 ft lbs , hopefully good there , and I will recheck after it gets running . Do you remember how many qrts of trans fluid you used .
I believe it is 10-12 quarts. I just checked it last week and I had to add 2 quarts so I think its more on the 12 quarts side.
Damn that's alot , plus the extra for the deep pan , cool thanks .
If the vehicle is not running just put in as much as shows full on the dipstick. Once its running, put the transmission in Neutral and check the level when warmed up.
