RE: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight

[Charlie V <cv300g@xxxxxxxxx>]

Several months ago ( December, 2011 ) I read about using AFT+4 Transmission Fluid in the older Chrysler Transmissions and I wrote to the company for a better understanding. The following is my Question to them and after that is their reply which came several months later ( April, 2012 ).





Consumer Question


Your Message:

On your website I read that " ATF+4® is approved for use in older transmissions and is currently utilized in newer Chrysler®, Jeep® and Dodge® vehicles." When you say "Older Transmissions" would that also include the older 727 Torqueflite transmissions. Working on a 1962 Chrysler with the pushbutton 727 transmission and looking to replace the fluid. Back in the day it used " Type A " which is hard to find and asking if ATF+4 will be ok without doing any harm to the transmission. Thanks
 
The Reply:
Dear Mr. Valentine:
 
Thank you for your inquiry and patience with our reply.  ATF+4 is the correct fluid to use in your transmission.
 
ATF+4® is a unique formulation that has been designed specifically to meet the exacting requirements of Chrysler transmissions.  The fluid has gone through an extensive developmental and testing process, including more than one million miles of severe field testing.  It is a high performance, synthetic fluid that provides significant reduction in component wear, superior temperature performance, consistent shift quality, and exceptional friction modifying properties.
 
One important note, due to advances in transmission design, modern transmission fluids, including ATF+4®, contain detergents that are designed to clean seals. If you haven’t already done so, you will most likely need to change your seals as the detergents will clean the build-up that surrounds the old seals and is helping to prevent leakage.  
 
Thank you for your interest.  I hope this provides you with the information you need.  If you have any questions, please contact me.
 
Best regards,
Chiara
 
 

Chiara Barbier, ATF+4 Project Manager
Center For Quality Assurance
4800 James Savage Road
Midland, Michigan  48642  USA
 
Office: +1 (989) 496 2399
 


--- On Tue, 5/15/12, Bob Jasinski <rpjasin@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


From: Bob Jasinski <rpjasin@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight
To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 2:47 PM



  



Just because a transmission is aluminum alloy, doesn't make them all the
same. Transmission fluid chemistry is an involved subject, and best left to
experts. Having said that, the expert(s) in the 300 Club, have recommended
only Type F fluid be used in older Torqueflite transmissions, as a
replacement for original type A, which is no longer available. Others will
probably comment, but this has been George Riehl's advice for years, and he
knows our transmissions well.

Bob J

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Ryan Hill
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 1:11 PM
To: mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight

Mark, I'm sorry I went off on a bit of a tangent and didn't answer your
question, it seems my point was lost in translation. If your transmission
guy can't tell you whether or not Dexron 5 will cause problems in your
torqueflite, I'd be suspicious what else he doesn't know....just sayin'. How
much milage did you get out of your last build over 21 years? You should be
seeing at least 100k miles, gaskets and seals aside.

I've only ever built two automatic transmissions in my life, both in shop
class in high school.....I don't profess to know the answer to your question
but will add this. Aren't all modern transmissions aluminum alloy? If Dexron
5 is okay in those, what is your concern in regards to the aluminum TF
specifically? When it comes to compatibility, I'd be more concerned with the
friction characteristics and the effects it might have on the clutches and
seals. 

Ryan 


To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 19:10:16 -0700
Subject: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight

Hi All,

Just to clarify, the transmission shop that rebuilt my torqueflight was the
same shop that rebuilt it in 1990 for $350 including taking it out and
reinstalling it. In 1990, it ran perfect. and worked well until 2011.
When I replaced the 383 with the 413, I was convinced to have the trans
checked which later turned into a rebuilding project. It worked fine when
the 383 was pulled, but upon inspection there were a few parts that were
worn and ready to fail (Sprag Pring Retainer).

The guys in this club that rebuild transmissions probably know every step in
the shop manual by heart. The shops that rebuild a torqueflight once every
3-5 years or so don't know the details. I gave this guy the shop manual,
but no one reads books these days, so I really don't know if it meets the
original specs or not. 

What I really want to know is will Dextron 5 cause problems to an aluminum
torqueflight?
If you don't know, that's OK. If you have any facts, please pass them
along.

We can debate good mechanics and bad mechanics all day long. When you have
a modern trans rebuilt by a mechanic, do you really know if it is truly
rebuilt to stock specs or are you just happy when you put it in DRIVE and it
goes down the road?

Thanks for your help.
Mark Lindahl

--- On Mon, 5/14/12, Mark Souders <MRS954@xxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Mark Souders <MRS954@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight
To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Monday, May 14, 2012, 7:51 PM

When my transmission was rebuilt about 13 or 14 years ago, it was done by an
old time tranny guy who was an expert with Chrysler transmissions, and
considered one of the best in the state of SC. When I finally got the car
together and fired it up, it would not go into any gear, no matter which
button I pushed. To make a long story short, there was a small washer lodged
between the valve body and the thingy it fastens to. I'm no expert by any
stretch of the imagination, but when I removed the washer and put it back
together, it worked like a brand new tranny. So my point is, no matter if
the guy is a novice or an expert, mistakes can happen. Hopefully the more
reputable shop will make it right for the customer. In my case, the
transmission and the shop were separated by about 600 miles, and the guy who
rebuilt it retired, closed the shop, and moved to Florida, where he later
passed away.

Regards,
Mark Souders
300H
Mohrsville, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Hill <ryan_hillc300@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Bill Huff <czbill@xxxxxxxxxx>; mplindahl <mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
chrysler300 <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, May 14, 2012 8:37 pm
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Using Dextron 5 in an Aluminum Torqueflight

I'm inclined to agree with Bill. Aside from finding a shop that actually
listens to you, you need to find a transmission rebuilder that understands
transmissions....all of them (new and old). There are alot of so called
'technicians' these days that have been taught how to disassemble and then
reassemble mechanical devices like transmissions, over and over and over. 
Problem is, very few actually understand what it is they're working on and
how it functions. I'm often shocked at the level of understanding some of
the younger mechanics actually have.....never mind service managers. I'm not
an expert on fluids but your transmission guy should be, sounds like he's
crossing his fingers as you drive away. 

Ryan Hill 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or go to
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join and select the "Leave
Group" button

For list server instructions, go to
http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm

For archives go to
http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylangYahoo! Groups
Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or
go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join and select the "Leave Group" button

For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm

For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylangYahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/