53 dodge, what trans fluid to use?

[Scott1953]

Hi guys,

I have a 53 dodge with the 3 speed behind the fluid drive. The trans itself seems to be leaking. I think that it's coming out the back near the e brake. Probably the bearing seal right at the very back of the trans. Anyhow, i'm going to clean it all off this weekend and observe where it's leaking from but I want to replace the fluid that it's already lost. In my manual if I remember correctly it says 10 weight oil for the trans. Does that sound right and does that mean 10 weight engine oil?

Also, I'd like to thank everyone on this board who, without attitudes, answers questions for guys like me, who are new to the car hobby.

Scott

[Plymouthy Adams]

10 weight is the viscosity for the fluid coupler..for the transmission which is nothing but a standard 3 speed..use of the 80 weight gear oil is what you need to use..not to be confused with the extra thick 80/90 Hypoid gear oil that services the rear end, these have extra additives. 80 weight gear oil had the viscosity of that like a 40 wt engine oil..

[Scott1953]

Thank you Tim Adams. I must have been looking at the wrong specification table in my manual. Thank goodness I asked first.

Scott

[Plymouthy Adams]

Scott..if you have the manual check in the front index for the lubrication section..will spell out all the needed fluids by type, capacity and frequency of check/changes..standard 3 speed backed by the fluid coupler is SAE 90 for temps above 10 degrees, SAE 80 for temp below 10 degrees...DO pay attention to the oil used..do not use Hypoid oil in the tranny..the additives to combat gear shear is not necessary in your tranny....only SAE 80/90 Gear Fluid

If you do not have a book..I highly recommend you getting one..read it prior to working on your car..get to know how things work...exceptional material

[Scott1953]

Tim,

I have the shop manual covering the D46, D47, D44 and D48 models. I believe that my car is a D46 as it is a 4 door coronet. It has got Gyromatic badging on the car but it does not have a gyromatic trans. It has a three speed. I think that this weekend if I can find the time I am going to get underneath and spray off the trans to see if I can find some kind of identification on it. So... 3 speed manual coupled to engine with a Fluid Drive coupling.

In my Manual in the Lubrication Chapter for D46 section 16 is the transmission section. There are three different sub sections. First is the Easyshift. Second is the Easyshift and overdrive. Third is the Gyro-matic. Mine isn't a Gyro but I'm not sure if it's an easyshift, so I do the logical thing and go to the Transmission section because it should tell me there, right? Let's see.

In the trans section there are two transmissions listed. The "standard" transmission which was standard equipment and the optional Gyro transmission. No mention of an easyshift. I have to assume that the standard transmission was also called an easyshift, but I could be wrong. Anyhow, in the transmission section of the book there is a chart labeled 'Transmission Specifications' for the Standard Transmission. The last two lines on the chart are for lubricant capacity and viscosity (S.A.E.). The capacity is 2.75 pints and the viscosity says SAE 10-W.

Sorry for the long post but this is the chart and info that I based my original question on. When I asked the question I didn't have the book with me and I was trying to put together a list of things that I needed to get this weekend and I figured someone on here could answer my question before I got home to my manual.

The only thing left to ask is this: Is SAE 10-W the same as the 80 weight gear lube that you had talked about?

Thanks,

Scott

[Plymouthy Adams]

NO...you are on the right track...do identify your transmission first..my recommendatkion was based on the statement that it is a standard 3 speed..

[greg g]

It is unfortunate that Chrysler corporation used so many different marketing names on their different drive trains. Its very confusing. and the technical names weren't very enlightening either.

They also seemed to bounce around with lubricants also. Then add in teh fact that many of these cars had engine and drivetrain swaps over the years by previuos owners, and its a wonder we can do a simple oil change. (even this is a chore based on all the different oil filters used)

You could always deain a bit out ad see whats in there. If its hypoind gear oil, it has a very distinctave smell, so it should be easy to identify. If so just refill with 90 wt as Tim suggested, if its motor oil, then refill with the 10 weight.

Now if you are talking about the fluid drive unit by itself, the consensus here is that the universal hydraulic fluid used by tractors is the closest modern replacement. This stuff is available in 5 gallon (perhaps smaller) pails at NAPA or Tractor Supply/Farmand Fleet stores.

I know my Plymouth 3 speed takes the 80/90 weight deal.

[greg g]

Maybe this will help, probably not......

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/fluidrive.html

[49roadster]

I have the shop manual for the Dodge D-46,

D-47, D-44 and D-48. This is the manual from Dodge division Chrysler Corp.

This manual shows for the three speed and three speed with overdrive "SAE 80"

The section for Gyro-Torque drive for the D-44 and D-48 shows that in this model the torque converter shares oil with the motor. The oil is the same as the engine oil. "Not lower than 32 degrees-SAE 30, As low as +10-SAE 20, As low as -10 SAE 10, Below -10 SAE 5."

Edited May 16, 2009 by 49roadster
used wrong word

[PatS....]

If you are looking to ID the fluid drive with 3 speed, this one came out of my '49 Chrysler Royal.

[Young Ed]

Besides drivetrain swaps there's front clip swaps too. Ive seen p15s with deluxe on one side and special deluxe on the other. 49s with 50 clips etc. Remember at one point these were just basic transportation to people and they did what they needed to to keep them going. My own car had 2 totally different rock gaurds on the rear fenders probably as a result of a crash and one getting replaced.

[Scott1953]

Thanks for all the replies guys. A lot of what is being said sure does ring true. About the confusing/interchangeable names for transmissions and drive units. Also about how it probably isn't original anyhow because it has gyromatic badging but not a gryo trans.

I didn't get to troubleshoot any further this weekend as my brother and sister in law were in town (Michigan) from California for a long weekend visit. Probably next weekend. I'll keep ya' posted and thanks for the advice.

By the way, Greg, you're right that link is about as confusing as my manual. Well, I'll get it figured out.

Scott