Tranny fluid

[TTodd]

I have a 1961 Lark that has been sitting for many years and I'm wondering a bout the automatic tranny fliud. The car runs and shifts fine.
The fluid that's in it now appears to be clear and stays clear even
after a long road trip. If I ever have to add what type of fluid
should I use.

61 Lark
61 Lark Cruser VIII

[curt]

I have been told Dextron or type F are usable BUT USE Dextron is the message I have received. See if the pros have a few words on the subject later in the weekend.

[Green 53]

Either is ok but don't mix them. F gives a sharper shift. I think John Myer and most go with F. I have run F in my Powershift tranys for years.
Denny L

[TTodd]

The adding to was what I was wondering about. I have never seen clear tranny fluid before. I guess I should drop the pan and start over with one or the other.

Thanks Tony

61 Lark
61 Lark Cruser VIII

[Chicken Hawk]

Drain the converter too. You can use a 7/16 socket to get the drain plug out of it.

Ted

[curt]

Does the old clear fluid smell like brake fluid? I never heard of clear 'auto traney' fluid, sounds interesting.

[Transtar60]

Some older automatics used 10 wt oil for tranny fluid but not in a FOM.
I know tank transmissions and some tractors still do.
Perhaps somebody used to an older automatic last changed the fluid.
I used Dextron II/III in mine and it shifts just fine.

[hank63]

Anybody know the difference between Dexron II and III? I was told the D-III is more "slippery". But that does not come from an Oil Specialist, so I don't know.
/H

[raprice]

What Denny said is true. The Type F does shift sharper. I use the Type F because the Ford and Stude transmission were both built by Borg Warner and are quite similar. So far, when I've needed to add tranny fluid, I use the Type F and it's worked fine. Can't comment about the Dexron.
Rog

[Sam Roberts]

Actually all Studebaker autos were made by B-W, though the DGs were Detroit Gear, a division of B-W as I understand. I use Dexron-Mercron III in my '66 Cruiser, and also used it in the '55 that just went to Wisconsin Friday. That was the recommendation of my transmission man when I 1st bought the cars, and the '55 was in my possession 12 years. The Cruiser I have owned 7 years now. I can't say much about the sharper/softer shift thing, since all I cared about is that it did shift, and I did not have that " extra " pedal on the floorboard.

quote:Originally posted by studeroger

What Denny said is true. The Type F does shift sharper. I use the Type F because the Ford and Stude transmission were both built by Borg Warner and are quite similar. So far, when I've needed to add tranny fluid, I use the Type F and it's worked fine. Can't comment about the Dexron.
Rog

Sam Roberts

[studegary]

I am a believer that any car that has sat for more than a year should have ALL of its fluids changed.