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Author Topic: Transmission Fluid Change  (Read 639 times)

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Offline Chphung

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Transmission Fluid Change
« on: May 30, 2021, 12:52:16 AM »
Hey guys,

It's been a while but I'm starting to work on my Pinto again. My goal is to get it a little more road worthy and I wanted to change the trans fluid. It was making slight whirling noises while stopped at red lights the last time I took it out. the noises were coming from the trans area and would go away if i put it in neutral. I also don't know when the last time it's been changed so I figured it could us it.
My problem is I don't know what trans it is or how much fluid to put in. I'm assuming it's a C3. When I google the fluid capacity I get a lot different results.

How do I tell which Trans I have?
How much fluid does it take?

Thanks for any help
-Zach

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2021, 11:00:56 AM »
When you replace the transmission fluid you are only replacing what is in the pan. Roughly 1/2 to 2/3rd's of the fluid remains in the torque convertor and other internal areas. If the fluid is clean (red, not brown) perhaps it is OK.

. Have you checked the level? Follow whatever the instructions are but typically it is checked hot, in park, parking brake on, on level ground. A too low level will sometimes cause problems like you state. TF can get out quite quickly. On my Valiant I had a slight nick in the seal for the selector that passes through the case. It was above the fluid level and I thought not a major issue. Turns out I was loosing 2 quarts about every 50 miles and it never showed under the car. I must have put in 20-30 quarts before I got off my butt and changed the seal. Now 10 years later and I have never had to add a drop. The only good thing that came out of that was the convertor likely got a complete flush with the constant adding of fluid.

 Most likely you need Type F fluid and it might be hard to find. None of this stuff is cheap anymore. So replacing $20-$25 worth of fluid only to get a third of it actually replaced might not be prudent if the level is simply too low. Start there first.

Offline Dtmix

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2021, 03:07:58 PM »
Mmm, I just had my transmission rebuilt. It is a C4, and I will have to call the shop to see what type they put in. Does the 1980 model year C4 use the same as the C3? If it’s the wrong fluid, I will have them flush what they can and switch it out. Please advise...

Happy Motoring!
Dan
Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline davidpinto

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2021, 07:24:39 PM »
IN 1980 C4s WENT TO DEXRON FLUID .'79 AND EARLIER USE TYPE F ACCORDING TO MY ATP CHART.I PUT 3 QTS IN AND START IT AND ADD AS NEEDED.HOLDS A LITTLE OVER 3 QTS.ITS A GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE THE ORING ON THE DIPSTICK TUBE WHILE THE PAN IS EMPTY.
D BARHAM

Offline Dtmix

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2021, 07:29:45 AM »
That's good to know, as Dexron is readily available, and I would presume the transmission shop would have used that.  I will double-check though.

I never thought about the O-ring for the dipstick tube.  Are you talking about where the dipstick holder meets the transmission or the top-end of the dipstick that rests against the holder?  I am asking as the transmission has already been reinstalled in the car, so it would require me to empty it and access the tube meeting point.  Hopefully, you are referring to the top-end of the dipstick where it rests...as that would be easily done!  With my luck, you are probably talking about the point where the tube holder meets the transmission, as everything with restoration is required to be a challenge according to our car bibles!  LOL.

Thanks for the "crash course" on dipsticks!  It appears that I am a dipstick for not even thinking about that!  Sigh...

Happy Motoring!
Dan
Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline davidpinto

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2021, 07:03:16 PM »
i'm refering to the oring at the bottom of the tube ,its easy to reinstall it ,just push it in the hole and bolt to bellhousing.ev ery thing should be clean since it was just rebuilt .hooking up the cooler lines can be a pain.not much room there,i ended up cutting a hole in the tunnel and putting a patch over it....
D BARHAM

Offline Mattb

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Re: Transmission Fluid Change
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2021, 07:56:00 PM »
With regards to type of fluid,you may want to see if it’s stamped on the dipstick. Don't know if Ford continued it throughout the Pinto run but my 72 Maverick with a C4 has Type F embossed right on the dipstick.