55 olds 88 - Transmission fluid

Pookster6 · October 11th, 2006, 07:11 PM

Sorry, this may be a fairly elementary question, but what type of transmission fluid should I use in my 4-speed hydramatic? Thanks for your help.

Oldsguy · October 12th, 2006, 07:38 AM

Dexron most likely. Most people agree that all GM transmissions use type Dexron and Fords use type F but to be honest a transmission will use either type it is just best to not MIX them. So, probably the previous owner used Dexron so you should. If you are going to flush it out completely change the filter and fill with new stuff you could probably use whichever type you want. I understand there is a friction coefficient difference between the two, supposedly type F has a higher one.

Pookster6 · October 15th, 2006, 05:53 PM

As always, thanks for the help. I'm figuring out the "old car" thing bit by bit - just want to make sure I don't make any major mistakes.

June 9th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Is it just regular Dexron or is there a certain Dexron? Also does NAPA have this or is there another place to find it?

thanks

Oldsguy · June 10th, 2008, 05:32 AM

As far as I know it is just regular Dexron. Napa should have it.

Olds64 · June 10th, 2008, 05:41 AM

Dexron Mercron Type III or better. I think the stuff they sell now is Type V. If you rebuilt the transmission and it is dry then you can put whatever you want in it. I had alot of friends in college that would go through their TH 350 and put Type F in it instead of the B&M trickshift. It is essentially the same thing.

88 coupe · June 10th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

........ Fords use type F ........

Type "F" fluid had to be used, in early Ford automatics, because of the clutch material they used.

In this case, you can use (and mix) anything that says "Dexron" on the label.

Norm

June 10th, 2008, 05:07 PM

cool thanks

Texascarnut · June 15th, 2008, 07:15 PM

The original fluid specified for early hydro-matics was Type A, which can still be purchased. However, all variations of Dexron and Mercon fluids are compatible with the original TYPE A. The variations have to do with additives to improve shifting characteristics. Just don't ever make the mistake of adding any Type F to any transmission having Dexron or Mercon anything in it (or visa-versa) unless you want a nasty foamy mess and a rebuild.

October 11th, 2006, 07:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pookster6 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10	55 olds 88 - Transmission fluid Sorry, this may be a fairly elementary question, but what type of transmission fluid should I use in my 4-speed hydramatic? Thanks for your help.

October 12th, 2006, 07:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	Dexron most likely. Most people agree that all GM transmissions use type Dexron and Fords use type F but to be honest a transmission will use either type it is just best to not MIX them. So, probably the previous owner used Dexron so you should. If you are going to flush it out completely change the filter and fill with new stuff you could probably use whichever type you want. I understand there is a friction coefficient difference between the two, supposedly type F has a higher one. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

June 10th, 2008, 05:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	As far as I know it is just regular Dexron. Napa should have it. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

June 10th, 2008, 05:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,203	Dexron Mercron Type III or better. I think the stuff they sell now is Type V. If you rebuilt the transmission and it is dry then you can put whatever you want in it. I had alot of friends in college that would go through their TH 350 and put Type F in it instead of the B&M trickshift. It is essentially the same thing. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

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October 15th, 2006, 05:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pookster6 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10	As always, thanks for the help. I'm figuring out the "old car" thing bit by bit - just want to make sure I don't make any major mistakes.

June 9th, 2008, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
troberts6 Guest Posts: n/a	Is it just regular Dexron or is there a certain Dexron? Also does NAPA have this or is there another place to find it? thanks

June 10th, 2008, 05:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
troberts6 Guest Posts: n/a	cool thanks

June 15th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Texascarnut Geezer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So. Central Texas Posts: 269	The original fluid specified for early hydro-matics was Type A, which can still be purchased. However, all variations of Dexron and Mercon fluids are compatible with the original TYPE A. The variations have to do with additives to improve shifting characteristics. Just don't ever make the mistake of adding any Type F to any transmission having Dexron or Mercon anything in it (or visa-versa) unless you want a nasty foamy mess and a rebuild.

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