Recommended fluid for TH-350

[olds307 and 403]

Some race guys have ran the tractor trans/hydraulic fluid in their TH350. Most use use a few liters of Dex 3 or Type F to see it on the dipstick. I did until I pulled the trans and got sick of the weak reverse, pretty sure it is the original 70 trans, so no surprise. Otherwise it shifted completely normal. The biggest benefit on these old transmissions was way less leaks. I find no matter how many seals I replace sometimes even with bushings, they leak. I used the company, I work for, Coop's Trans Hydraulic Fluid, made at our own refinery, so I could easily find the specs. Conventional was a 10W30, Synthetic Blend a 5W30. Isn't Dexron 3 around a 15 weight? I have also used Dex 6, actually even mixed with Dex 3 in a 2004R with no weird shift issues. I would go straight Dexron 3 non synthetic in that old girl. That is a nice pan gasket, I wish it was available for the 2004R.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Here are links to both Trans Hydraulic Fluids and our ATF. Just scroll down the screen for our different varieties. Our company is finally releasing new ATF in the LV/Dexron 6 category in the near future. I only noticed this on a cross reference chart mentioning the not yet released oil.

https://www.fuel.crs/wcm/connect/www.fuel.crs1162/07ba349e-fbdb-4124-b275-f63455657365/Transmission%2BHydraulic%2BFluid.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=mje3QvJ

https://www.fuel.crs/wcm/connect/www.fuel.crs1162/e5ff0351-6fe2-44c6-8caf-a6b49defc80e/Automatic%2BTransmission%2BFluid.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=mje1JeL

 

[64nailhead]

Sounds like you've made up your mind James. Another vote here for Dex6, which is backwards compatible to Dex3. I've gotten all tangled up on this in the past with my son's 200-4R, but after many miles of abuse and the reassurance from trans guy - anything compatible with Dex3 will do the same thing as any of the special 'racing' stuff. My trans guy explained it like this, when Dex3 came out as the only fluid to run, the motor oil of those days was a joke as compared to today's oils - the same goes for trans fluid.

More of an issue than the type of fluid is the fluid level. Be sure to have you dipstick calibrated correctly.

On a side note that's not really related, I'll throw out a downside to a 4l80 - with a stock converter mine takes just shy of 4 gallons, with the 9.5" converter 3 1/2. An added, bonus expense of a 4l80 lol.

 

[motorheadmike]

Do not use type F. It lacks the friction modifier for the clutch packs. The only thing that should run type F is Ford 3 spd automatics. Even Ford left Type F behind with the AOD. You are going to need 12 qts unless you have a small body converter. It will suck up 6 or 7 on its own.

Man, I should go tell the 20 year old 200-4R in my Monte that it has had the wrong fluid in it since the day it was rebuilt. It is going to be so disappointed...

 

[83MonteCarloSS]

Man, I should go tell the 20 year old 200-4R in my Monte that it has had the wrong fluid in it since the day it was rebuilt. It is going to be so disappointed...

In the B&M shift kit instructions for a TH350 they recommend either their Trick Shift fluid or Type F. I've tried Trick Shift, Type F, and Dex 3 when I had a TH350 before I put the 2004r in. I couldn't tell the difference between the Trick Shift and Type F so I started using Type F because it was cheaper than B&Ms Trick Shift. I thought Dex 3 made for softer shifts.

Since I swapped out the TH350 for a 2004r I started with Dex 3 and I'm going to use Type F at the next fluid change to see if there is a noticable difference.

 

[pontiac guy]

I don't make the rules or the trans. Don't shoot the messenger. There's a reason the dipstick and owner manuals say Dexron.

 

[CopperNick]

Given any consideration to an ATF oil like B and M Trick Shift or the Royal Purple version?? LIke you I am at the point of having to fill my 700 now that it is bolted back onto the mill again. Thinking two gallons of the B &M and a quart of three of the red stuff just to tint it enough to appear on the stick. B&M shows almost clear on the dipstick which makes it hard to read the level. The mix worked okay in my last 350.