I was wondering about the best ATF to use. The local speed shop said that B&M TrickShift is the best, but that is what they sell. It is also 5 bucks a quart. The money doesn't bother me, I would rather do it right than do it again, but I want to know what the best kind is. I have a TH350 going behind a 350. Thanks

 

Trick Shift has friction modifiers; kinda like type F. Some tranny guys are okay with type F used in a GM tranny. If you don't know the builder of the trans., nor the history of it, just go w/ a reputable brand Dexron-III. I use AC Delco most times.

I do not recommend synthetic ATF in late third gen or 4th gen F manual transmissions. Slipperiness doesn't help friction linings in synchros grab effectively and std. ATF is up to the task anyhow.

 

no, I don't know anything about the tranny at all, just that it was sitting there. I know that I need to replace some seals (front, rear, and pan) and I am going to change those, the filter, and put a shift kit in all at the same time. I was just wondering because he kept telling me that it would help the tranny last longer and shift harder, but I thought he might be just trying to make a sale.

 

Redline or Honda Z1.

 

I've always tried to use "name brand" oil in all my stuff, have had no problems with Havoline D/T III. I got 12 qt's of B&M trick shift on the shelf, just waiting for a time to use it I guess. Couple of the guys I race with use tranny fluid from BTE. Guess just try to stay away from gas station on the corners name brand, it'll work, but you know the name brand thing always gives you a sence of security I guess. Been running NAPA brand in my work trucks and they get beat to heck hauling/towing/plowing and have'nt had any trans problems as of yet, both over 100K and going strong yet. Opps, almost forgot...knock on wood

 

well, i am going to try to get the 350 up to about 400 horse before i start painting the body and doing the interior and all of that, and i want the tranny to be able to hold up to some light track duty and a little bit of street plaiyin' but nothing too serious. i just want a good solid dependable car that can scream when it is ready to, that i don't have to wrench on for 2 hours every day/weekend. i am still in the process of getting all of the parts together now for all of it, so i'm asking questions as i go. any ideas on the seals? will the front and rear be enough or are there some other interior seals that should be changed?

 

front, rear, the one that the shift lever goes through, the one around the speedo gear sleeve, and if it's got any slop, the tailhousing bushing.

 

can you get all of those at NAPA? and are they reachable with the pan off?

 

Don't forget the dipstick tube, rubber/o-ring. Notorious for giving headaches. You should be able to pick most if not all these seals at any major auto parts store. Kind of basic stuff for these trannies.

 

thanks a lot, guys. are these all pretty easy to get in, or any major headaches I should be prepared for? i am hoping (big time) that I can do all of this stuff in the course of an afternoon/day.

 

I am now a believer of mobil 1 full synthetic tranny fluid. I just finished flushing my tranny with it and now my vibration and whine in my torque converter are completely gone and the tranny shifts great!

 

NAPA and CarQuest brand filters are made by WIX and their oil are made by Valvoline. CarQuest gaskets are Victor Renz, can't remember what NAPA are.

It's like Summit, other companies make parts for them, but they put their name on it, its the same thing. You can have two bottles of identical oil and two people argue that one or the other is better, depending on the name on the bottle. As far as AutoZone, or AutoZoo as we call it, I don't know who does their inhouse stuff. I wouldn't buy a air freshener at the Zoo. I hate that place.

We use NAPA and Carquest filters on all of the cars that come through the shop and all of our fleet vehicles and have been for over 30 years, well my boss has, I have been their for 5 years.

Now the type of oil you get at the corner gas station I can't say for sure because I don't know. I agree buying a name brand part does give you a better piece of mind when you are driving at home at night. I admit there are certian parts that I will only buy from a certian manufacture. There is alot of good parts out there but there is also alot of junk. When you do buy a part, wether it be a filter or starter ask them who makes their inhouse brand and ask if its second or first line. Try and stay away from the second line stuff and run away from the third line, I don't even see how they get away with selling that stuff.

Jason