Dear V-8 Buick "car guys," I've got a real problem with this work that Orinda Motors is doing on my trusty 1965 Special wagon . . . . . . . Greg keeps finding me "homework" to do!! :laugh: Greg wanted to know what Chris at CK-Performance recommended for transmission fluid to put in the 200-4R they built for me. I sent them an email and left a phone message, but I guess they are busy or something. So I'll get you guys to help me with my homework a bit. I did find this thread on V-8 Buick: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?179772-TH-400-recommended-fluid The punch line was that the standard GM compatible fluid was good enough and synthetics fluids probably aren't necessary. However, that was 4 years ago. Anything changed in this matter? Anyone had experiences that make them more choosy about the tranny fluid? Opinions solicited!! :Smarty: Cheers, Edouard :beer
Not sure if Dexron 6 is synthetic or not, but I would definitely opt for synthetic fluid. Synthetic stands up to heat better, and you will be towing.
Some Info on Dexron VI. The following chart represents the improvements over Dexron III. Extended Fill Range = 100,000 miles Normal Use. Change Interval = 50,000 miles Severe Use. Clutch Friction Stability = Improved 100% Clutch Durability = Improved 120% Oil Film = Increased 20% Fluid Oxidation = Improved 100% Shear Stability = Improved 200% Foam / Aeration= Improved 150%
Mercon 5 Motorcraft or Dextron 6 both are synthetic tranny fluid. My 200r4 trans guy told me to run Mercon 5 due to finding Dex 6 is hard to locate.:TU:
Dexron VI hard to beat. (Re: Recommendations on Transmission fluid?) Dear Doug, Larry, Nick, and V-8 Buick tranny experts, Golly with a set of recommendations like that, sure sounds that Dexron VI is the obvious choice. I'll see if I can find the stuff now!! Thanks again for the help!! Cheers, Edouard :beer
Yeah, its Ok to run with the new stuff as long as you remove the old stuff. So the old stuff runs better and cooler. :bglasses: Which means remove all the old fluid,especially from the converter. Mercon 5 in a turbo 400 would be a good service upgrade.:laugh:
Thanks for the reply, I guess I will stick with the old style. I hate to pull a perfectly good tranny. I don't have a drain plug on my converter.ou: Bob H.
I did not switch to Dex 6 until the transmission rebuild. Lonnie and Chris both recommend it. At my Autozone there are at least 3 brands available, an offbrand that is a blend, Castrol and Valvoline. The Castrol and Valvoline are full synthetics. Yes they are expensive but a full rebuild on a 2004r and top flight converter is going to be expensive. This fluid is so much better and more stable than the older fluids I think you get your moneys worth. GM rates it at 50,000 miles on heavy duty use.
http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/system-fluids/automatic-transmission-fluid/ It doesn't appear to me that there is a compatibility issue, but the Dexron III will dilute the extra protection of the Dexron-VI. I have heard nothing but good about the latter, excepting the price. Valvoline says their MaxLife oil meets or exceeds the Dex-VI specs, and maybe it is cheaper? I know I heard at one time GM was in a war with Dexron over the royalty price they had to pay to use the Dexron trademark, that may apply to oil manufacturers too?
I found more, http://www.gmpowertrain.com/VehicleEngines/DEXRON-VI.aspx http://gmdexron.com/index.aspx I also found the NAPA brand Dexron VI is a great price compared to others. The MSDS shows it is made by Ashland (Valvoline) which is licensed by GM. I bought 2 cases today; one for the 200-4R and the other for my next project.
Chris at CK says: Mercon V! (Re: Recommendations on Transmission fluid?) Dear V-8 Buick performance enthusiasts, I finally was able to get through to CK Performance and ask Chris what he personally recommends for the hardened transmissions he makes. For the 200-4R anyway, Chris prefers the Ford formulation: Mercon V. If that is what Chris recommends - It's Mercon V for my 200-4R!! Cheers, Edouard :beer
