ATF suggestions

[Callan]

Hey guys, the pan gasket on my tranny is leaking so the pan is coming off for a new gasket and i'm changing the filter while i'm in there. Figure i will change the fluid as well since most of it is going to end up on the floor anyway.. lol Any suggestions on which ATF to put in there. I hear a lot of guys use the amsoil stuff, any suggestions?

Thanks

Andrew

[sdstriper]

If it were mine I would use ATF+ or Dextron and save the extra money Amsoil costs for a transmission temp gauge or deep pan. Also, buy a transmission pan drain plug for $12 and install that while it's apart.

[dodgetkboy78]

Amsoil, AND the temp guage.

[Callan]

how do the temp gauges mount on the tranny? right into the pan? i don't have the gauge right now and need it together again for monday, if i need to I could weld spot in the pan for a gauge and plug it for now. Where is the best place to mount it?

Thanks

Andrew

[sdstriper]

Front transmission line is the one, hot oil going out line, right out of the converter. The rear is the return line after the oil has made the cooling circuit, you don't need to know that temp. Same with the pan, cooled oil in there...

[Callan]

So the best way to mount a temp gauge would be through a temperature manifold on the hot line coming from the tranny rather than having the sensor in the pan?

[Ace]

http://www.1stgen.org/viewtopic.php?t=2275&highlight=

[Begle1]

The owner's manual says to run Mopar 7176 preferrably, but Dexron III is acceptable if 7176 isn't available.


I filled mine up with Dexron III, I don't know if it'd be worthwhile to flush it out with 7176 or some synthetic. Am I hurting anything with Dexron instead of 7176? My transmission only cost $4000, so I'd like to run the right fluid...

[burnt_servo]

i was always under the impression that the mopar fluid was a much better tranny fluid for the dodges .

the reason they mention dextron 3 is it's similar enough to the dodge fluid to work , and can be much more common , especially 15 to 20 years ago when the dodge fluid was fairly new and the dextron stuff was in every gas station .

fast forward to 2008 the question might be now , what is the best fluid to prevent tranny failure in our trucks ?

[randyswelding]

i like royal purple in my gassers 727,lasts long and can handle runnin hot.i drag raced it for about 4 hours including the normal 5 min wait at our track and still doesnt smell burnt or any thing but what ever way you go get a temp gauge, i didnt and burnt mine up before i got this tci 727 .more gauges the cooler and better informed you are,i learned that the hard way

[Ace]

The factory put Dex III in them. You have nothing to worry about there. Just remember it is a conventional fluid and as such does not handle high temps well. I'd change it again in no more than 20-30k max and like was said, get a temp gauge on it.

Ma Mopar tried to get people to start putting the + fluids in everything after they came out with it as an OEM-only licensed fluid with the Ultradrive electronic tranny family. Remember when the stuff used to be $4-6 a qt. at the dealer? It was mostly a money-making move, but also because people were ruining the new trannys with Dex. Dex is fine for the old ones.

Dex VI is the best way to go for the 727/904 slushboxes these days. Walmart has it in the Supertech brand for like $3/qt. Probably not quite as good as the pricier Valvoline or GM stuff, but we're splitting hairs here.

[PToombs]

Begle, if you have any questions, ask who ever did the tranny for you. Some places recommend a certain oil, like +3 or +4 in the newer trannies.

[sdstriper]

Non synthetic transmission fluids are mineral oil based, that is why they don't hold up to high heat for long. Every manufacturer has it's own additive package designed to work the best with their friction material choice, one fluid over another isn't going to ruin a transmission, heat is the culprit or some other non related mechanical failure of some sort. You can put Fords ATF in there if you like how it grabs better... Just remember it's the heat that kills the fluid, that kills the transmission... Dextron was recommended for years and is right on the dipstick, readily available and is what I would use in any of the late model trucks etc.! All of a sudden Chrysler decides ATF+ is the only thing that will keep a transmission alive... If I had a truck with warranty I would follow the new recommendations to simply CYA on a warranty related claim etc.