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Dexron VI for BW Trans

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Someassemblyrqd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Someassemblyrqd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dexron VI for BW Trans
    Posted: Mar/18/2018 at 12:24pm
Is the latest the greatest?
Dexron VI is considered backwards compatible, based on current readings on the ATF.   It’s the only licensed fluid GM has with it’s producers.
Dexron III and prior are no longer licensed. Therefore, producers have consolidated the formulation of Dexron and Mercon to support “multi-vehicle” use. For me, that’s like combining two half empty whiskey bottles from Jack Daniels and Crown.
I cannot find Dexron III specifically.   1) is there a source?   At the time Billd wrote the sticky, I believe Dexron III was specifically available.
Can we use Dexron VI, which is manufactured for tighter tolerances?
   Can we use the blended Dexron/Mercon?

   Can we update the sticky?

Edited by Someassemblyrqd - Mar/18/2018 at 3:09pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Photon440 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/18/2018 at 8:14pm
Wasn't the Borg-Warner 35 series originally filled with Type F fluid?  The BW transmission also used by other makes such as Jaguar or Rover specify Type F, while this service manual supplied by Volvo merely mentions 'automatic transmission fluid', but no particular type.

That being said, perhaps it wasn't that critical.  Some forums specify Type F for an un-rebuilt original box, but mention that Dextron would provide a softer shift if desired.

My own experience with that transmission was behind a 1968 232 in a Javelin.  One day during a drive on hills, it overheated and boiled over because the air cooled converter wasn't good enough.  With much of the fluid now on the ground and no way to get home, I dumped in 3 quarts of 10-30 engine oil into the fill tube in the hopes that it would engage.

It ran and shifted perfectly, never overheated again, and the engine oil was still in the transmission over a year later until the car was destroyed in an accident.  So maybe it really didn't matter in the end.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/18/2018 at 9:04pm
From the other post:
You can still buy this at Amazon, wally world ...
Castrol Transmax DEX/MERC Automatic Transmission Fluid
https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/fusionpds.nsf/files/2ebbcec56a0472f5802579c3004b587e/$file/bpxe-8sl9pj.pdf
It specifically states not for use with Dextron IV applications.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/18/2018 at 10:54pm
i was told by more than one good transmission shop that the chemistry of today is so much improved it's almost incomparable. both told me to run whatever the latest Dexron was, and it ran great. of course that alone doesn't mean it's "right", justr that it isn't "wrong".

you could actually call an applications person at one of the fluid makers. you'll find that thery are generally helpful, if you first have done a bit of research and can ask pointed questions. i've done this a number of times, called Mobil 1 about ZDDP and all that (the answer as i recall now was that the 15W-50 is formulated for older cars originally shipped with 10w-30).


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FSJunkie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 1:42am
I use Dex/Merc in my Turbo-Hydramatics and Torque-Flites. It is technically Dexron VI but works very well in all of them. I use it in my power steering systems too.

My one and only Borg-Warner transmission is filled with Type-F, because my grandfather who bought the car brand new said it used to have shifting problems and would not go into reverse if anything else was used. I took his word for it. It's always shifted a little hard but some of that is my altitude. High altitude makes transmissions shift harder. 

I read an article in a 1960s Motor Trend talking about the different types of transmission fluid and I found it very informative. They compared Dexron to Type F. Dexron decreases its coefficient of friction as the speed differential between the friction surfaces decreases while Type F increases its coefficient of friction as the speed differential between the friction surfaces decreases. In non-engineering speak, that basically means that Type F causes clutches to engage quicker and more harsh while Dexron causes clutches to engage slower and more smoothly. A transmission designed for Dexron has a valve body that applies the clutches rather firm abrupt, relying on the slippery nature of the fluid to cushion the shift. A transmission designed for Type-F has a valve body that applies the clutches rather slow and easy since the fluid itself is pretty grabby. Using Dexron in a transmission designed for Type-F will result in mushy shifts with slipping. Using Type-F in a transmission designed for Dexron will result in harsh shifts, like having a shift kit. They used to call Type-F "poor man's trick shift".

Our Ramblers often originally specified Type-A. I believe the article mentioned it being somewhat in between Dexron and Type-F in friction characteristics but I don't remember well. I'd have to dig through 40 years of magazines to find it again. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amxdreamer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 11:50am
My transmission guy is a BW specialist and he insisted I use Type F in mine. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FSJunkie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 3:13pm
Originally posted by amxdreamer amxdreamer wrote:

My transmission guy is a BW specialist and he insisted I use Type F in mine. 
That is what my trans guy told me too. He "cut his teeth" on Ford-o-matics, so I trust his judgement. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Someassemblyrqd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 4:18pm
Boy Tony and Matt, that’s major curveball, using Type F. I assume as long as you don’t mix and use from day one, all should be good.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 401MATCOUPE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 5:21pm
I used Type F in all my Turbo 400's in my Quadra-Trac Jeeps and Torque-flights, same deal, my trans guy years ago told me he only used Type F in everything.....that was in 1978.....never had issue and never smoked a trans.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fhpdave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar/19/2018 at 6:32pm
You can still buy Accel brand type A transmission fluid on eBay. That's what I used  when I rebuilt the transmission in my car. It's about 45 bucks for a case of 12.

Edited by fhpdave - Mar/20/2018 at 8:24am
Old enough to know better - young enough not to care
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