Getting "new" Trans, questions on fluid etc.

[SimonStern]

OK so next week probably I am getting a "new" transmission, pulled from junk yard inspected and everything, but it'll be new to my car. Anyway, I'm supplying the fluids and such and I was wondering what would be the best fluid to put in there and any suggested additives. Also is there anything I should be checking/replacing, I'm supposed to get a "front seal" for it too according to the mechanic but I'm not sure what he means.

 

Basically I'm on a really tight budget, this is already breaking me to get this done, but I'm looking for simple/cheap things (like the best fluid/seals) that can be done to increase the life span of this transmission, I don't want to have to do this again any time soon...

 

Thanks in advance

[Guest TurboSedan]

manual? auto? more details?

[SimonStern]

Auto, direct replacement for the origonal 89 Regal Limited 2.8L

[Canada]

A junkyad unit?

 

Well...the front seal goes around the input shaft.

 

For fluid.......if you got big cash, Amsoil would be the way to go....but for a junkyard trans, its not worth it. Just a good Dexron-III ATF will be fine. Make sure the mechanic flushes the cooler lines. This can be done a couple of ways....

 

-With a flush machine.....if its a transmission shop, they'll have one. They tell the flow rates of the cooler and all kinds of stuff.

 

-Using an ATF gun.....most shops have engine oil and transmission oil in bulk, so they pump it over the shop to different guns. Put a gun up to a unhooked line...the other unhooked and in a oil drain, and pump away.

 

-Using the transmission....leave the return line of the cooler unhooked, and lay it in a oil drain. Dump some extra quarts in the trans and start the car. Dump another quart in, and look for the oil coming out to go clean.

 

Doing one of those three things means all the oil from the bad transmission.....and all of the debri in the oil......will be gone.

 

So....you need to go to the parts store and get the following.....

 

-Transmission filter and pan gasket....comes as a kit.

-12 quarts (case) of ATF.

-Input shaft seal.

-Axle seals for the left and right.

[manitcor]

stay away from fully synthetic trans fluids, they will make the trans slip

[Kalgorn]

I would put in a bottle of Lucas Trans Fix (helps seals, fixes slipping, etc). I put a bottle of that in when I changed my tranns fluid recently. Shifts real nice at 102k.

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

I would just put in a good brand of regular Dextron III (or 4, whatever is out now).

 

ADD AN AUXILLARY OIL COOLER, CAUSE HEAT IS THE #1 ENEMY OF TRANSMISSIONS! YOU CAN GET A CHEAP KIT FOR UNDER $100 (probably $50)

[pitzel]

Make sure you get the Dexron III-H fluid, not just plain old Dexron III.

 

The -H is a synthetic blend, while just normal Dexron III isn't. -H might cost you a buck extra per gallon, if even, but will definitely last longer and provide better performance in the wintertime.

 

Additives are a waste of money. And definitely do not use any of those 'universal' ATF's. They have slight and subtle differences in their fluid friction coefficient that affect clutch operation and increase wear.

[pwmin]

i add a quart of type-F and a quart of trans-x to regular dextron-III, but for your case i would just use Dex-3. yeah, i'm going to put an extra aux tranny cooler on mine esp. when i change the shift points and line pressure if i ever get my dhp pt. sometimes i use BG trans conditioner, but that only helps when you dont get rid of all the fluid and want softer shifts, which i dont in my cars. i usually just blow the cooler lines out with compressed air unless the cooler is full of shit. try to find a duraprene (brown neoprene derivative) gasket if the stock reusable gasket is missing/worthless. otherwise, use neoprene. def us high-tack to help with the seal. i would get a gm filter too.

[SimonStern]

OK Looking at Kragen online it shows an output shaft seal for an automatic but the only input shaft seal says it's for a manual trans... This is all it shows for my car as far as seals...

A/T Front Pump Seal - A/T Output Shaft Bearing - A/T Output Shaft Seal - A/T Shift Shaft Seal -

A/T Torque Converter Seal - M/T Clutch Fork Seal - M/T Input Shaft Bearing - M/T Input Shaft Seal -

M/T Output Shaft Bearing - M/T Output Shaft Seal - M/T Shift Shaft Seal - Miscellaneous Seal -

Pump Shaft Bearing

Not sure what it is I need, help :?

 

I might get one of those trans coolers, it would be one of these if I do, opinions-

Imperial Transmission Oil Cooler - Maxi Cool Stacked Plate

 

And one of these filter kits- Transmission Filter Kit at Kragen

 

Help and opinions are greatly appreciated, like I said, I'm broke but I want to get this done as right as I can

BTW, anybody ever heard of/used this thing? B&M Electronic Shift Improver

[Canada]

stay away from fully synthetic trans fluids, they will make the trans slip

 

You don't know what you are talking about.

 

If it's Dextron III compatible it ALL has to meet the same standards for viscosity and have the same friction modifier pakages............otherwise it wouldn't BE a Dex III ATF.

 

In this case, synthetics are NOT worth it (not on a JY trans), but for somebody building their car to be run hard (towing, racing, abuse etc.), synthetic ATF is good............it just resists high temps that much better.

[Canada]

And all of these people telling you to put in additive "X" or mix ATF "Y" and ATF "Z" are also not to be listened to.

 

Just buy a bulk case of Dex III ATF, flush the cooler lines and pump out the old fluid...........and you are done.

 

 

 

Just remember:

 

Additives are BAD.

 

COMPATIBLE Synthetics are GOOD.

[SimonStern]

So any help on the seal I need from the ones I posted up there? And which of those trans coolers would be best, one was a stacked plate it said, the other was a pipe and fin or something. I guess any dex III fluid will be good, Pensoil, B&M, Valvoline, whatever.

 

Thanks and thanks in advance again

[birdman]

B&M trick shift fluid, kinda expensive but worth it

[pwmin]

i'm betting its the front pump seal, but i would ask the j/y for more info. as far as the gasket, get . i would get carquest trans fluid (repackaged valvoline). i usually just use the imperial ones.

[GP1138]

B&M trick shift fluid, kinda expensive but worth it

 

I've not heard good things about that fluid. I'm sure Canada will chime in in a minute here.

[Canada]

B&M trick shift fluid, kinda expensive but worth it

 

I've not heard good things about that fluid. I'm sure Canada will chime in in a minute here.

 

It goes right back to what I said about compatability. And I'm pretty sure Trick Shift is NOT DexIII compatible (I think it's a Type F..........not excactly the best thing for a street driven GM tranny that is looking for longevity)

 

[SimonStern]

At Kragens website B&M is listed under mercon/dexron not type f, so where does that leave me?

 

I have two choices I think, I either get the B&M fluid and then in about a month I can get the trans cooler (still don't know which one to get) or I can get another type of fluid which will be a lot cheaper and can maybe afford the cooler right now. That B&M stuff is almost $7 a quart. If I had more money this wouldn't be an issue but I'm tapped just doing this so I want to make sure I get the best bang for the buck. Longevity is a good thing

Perhaps I should just go with some valvoline max life dexron III and 12oz of lucas?

 

I really don't drive my car that hard, I generally do just 5-10 over the speed limit if that, I don't try to burn the tires or show off (I mean come on it's a 2.8L ), I just like it to be able to get out of it's own way and out of the semi's way when I get on the freeway, accelration is a good thing too . Most of all I want a smooth ride and shifts and a trans that's going to last this time so... I'll ask the mechanic to be a little more specific on what seal he meant, but is there anything else or other seals I should be looking to replace?

 

Thanks again...

[JoroCorona]

If the trans is in good shape, Simply use some Dexron 3 and be happy.

 

If its in poor condition, just blow it up and get a good tranny. These transmissions have a tendancy of being good for a long time and then dieing... FAST AND HARD. If its already bad, demand he finds you a trans that was infact inspected.

[SimonStern]

OK, I talked to the mechanic today, he said to get the main seal that goes between the transmission and the engine, which one would that be?

A/T Front Pump Seal - A/T Output Shaft Bearing - A/T Output Shaft Seal - A/T Shift Shaft Seal -

A/T Torque Converter Seal

 

As far as fluid I guess I'm going with like valvoline or whatever dexronIII, should I add a 12oz of lucas?

[pitzel]

Why bother with lucas-anything. If it were any good, they would be adding it from the factory. Obviously they don't, so its probably not necessary, nor helpful.

 

I've seen 4T60's reliably deliver 300k+ miles, so as long as you change the fluid every 100k or so, you should be doing just fine.

[manitcor]

dont add anything to the trans other than whats supposed to be there.

do not use synthetic fluids as these case the trans to slip

it is reccomened to add about 1/2 a quart above the full line to keep the parts coverd with oil when the fluid shifts to the rear under hard acceleration.