Fluid Drive Fluid

[1961 W200]

Hi all! I'm new to the site. I have a question wondering if someone could helpout, I have 2 gallon cans of Moper Fluid Drive fluid in good condition and still full of fluid. Does anyone know what they could be worth or if they are desireable? I haven't found much on them. Thx Jim

[greg g]

Well since most folks have found that universal tractor hydraulic works as a replacement, my guess would be there is a pretty small market. So unless you finde a MOPAR purist, or a fellow who needs it to complete his petroliana collection, I would think they are worth what you say they are and can get some one to pay.

You might generate some Private messages from this post, then you and the interested party can establish the value via negotiatioin. There is not much of it around these days, it might be interesting to have a sample chemically analyzed to see what the MOPAR engineers had in there.

Do the cans give any indication of who the refiner of maufacturer were?

[Plymouthy Adams]

if the cans are genuine Mopar tins..you may find yourself in favor with a number of collectors..if generic, then less so but still vintage tin..a photo at this point and time will determine some market value/desire

[fatFreddie]

I have 2 gallon cans of Moper Fluid Drive fluid in good condition and still full of fluid. Does anyone know what they could be worth or if they are desireable? I haven't found much on them. Thx Jim

The first question is WHAT fluid is in the can...is it original Fluid Drive fluid? or is is something else. I have seen them full of old motor oil, kerosene, old gasoline, turpentine...or what ever, so that is the first question. Second not even a MOPAR purist would risk putting a 70 year old fluid in their tranny...sorry Greg

Dump the fluid....take it to a recycle center.....and display it or sell it...worth 20-50 bucks depending on how good the litho is on it.

[fatFreddie]

it might be interesting to have a sample chemically analyzed to see what the MOPAR engineers had in there.

First, MOPAR engineers did not make the fluid. A company named LUBRIZOL did (NYSE: LZ).

Second,

Greg that has been done already... like 30-35 years ago. Look for WPC News from 1975 or 1978 I do not remeber what issue or exact year. Back then it was determined to be Hydraulic JACK fluid, or 10W ND motor oil. It was also stated back then that you can still use Hydraulic JACK fluid, or 10W ND motor oil, but the better replacement was Tractor 134 or Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) FORD TYPE F...NOT DEXRON..... DEXRON contains a SEAL SWELL additive that will destroy the original seals in teh FLUID DRIVE transmission.

Edited August 6, 2012 by fatFreddie

[Dodgeb4ya]

I have used 50-60 year old NOS FD fluid in my cars over the years. Works just fine. Only one seal in the coupling-a hard graphite seal ring. Fluid Drive fluid does not belong in the M-5 or M-6 transmission or 3 speeds.

Bob

Edited August 6, 2012 by Dodgeb4ya

[1961 W200]

The Fluid appears it be original, kind of a reddish-brown. One has a screw on cap the other he'd a tin seal that had to be cut in order to open. Which I just this weekend had to do because it developed a pin hole rust leak in the bottom. The fluid I would say is fine just needs to be filtered. The cans are in great shape. I attached a pic (hopefully I did it right!)

[fatFreddie]

Fluid Drive fluid does not belong in the M-5 or M-6 transmission or 3 speeds.

Bob

Really...than what fluid does go in these?

[Dodgeb4ya]

I betcha "Bob the Oil Guy" Knows.

[49roadster]

10wt. non-detergent in the M6 and 80wt. in the three speed. I know some of you may have seen in the reprint version of the shop manual where it calls for 10wt in both the M6 and standard. However the original Chrysler corp. shop manual for the D29-D30 as well as the original owners manual call for 80wt.

[49roadster]

A reminder: The Fluid drive is not the transmission.

[Dodgeb4ya]

A reminder: The Fluid drive is not the transmission.

We Have a WINNER!!!

[greg g]

Well how many times and in how many ways does this need to be said??? Seems like I always try to point out the seperate and distinct properties of the two assmblies, but most folks insist they have a fluid drive transmission cuz it says so in so many places on the car. Just gotta keep beatin that horse.

So are you saying that oil looses lubricating properties in the can??? Does that mean I need to throw out my Whiz Houdaille fluid???

Edited August 7, 2012 by greg g

[james curl]

The transmission behind a fluid drive is nothing more than a standard three speed with a longer input shaft. I have given two away as I have a Plymouth which does not use a fluid coupling between the engine and the transmission. I could not find an economical solution for replacing the input shaft with one for a Plymouth so I could use them for a spare if needed.

[Big_John]

The Fluid appears it be original, kind of a reddish-brown. One has a screw on cap the other he'd a tin seal that had to be cut in order to open. Which I just this weekend had to do because it developed a pin hole rust leak in the bottom. The fluid I would say is fine just needs to be filtered. The cans are in great shape. I attached a pic (hopefully I did it right!)

I've seen rusty empty cans going for $40 or more on ebay. There's a listing now for $75 for a rusty can.

Just saying....

[1961 W200]

I've seen rusty empty cans going for $40 or more on ebay. There's a listing now for $75 for a rusty can.

Just saying....

Ya I seen that, its the only one I could find and condition isn't that greatest for how much he is asking. I probably just keep them as garage decaration, its not often to find 60 yr old nos fluid. To last that long is a feat no less lol.

[fatFreddie]

We Have a WINNER!!!

Chrysler indiscriminately referred to both the standard and semi-automatic fluid-coupling transmissions as “Fluid Drive” in its promotional and technical literature. This contributed greatly to the confusion between the two types, and many Chrysler Corp. car owners of that time did not understand the difference. Many who had the fluid drive/3-speed manual configuration were not aware of any difference between that and the conventional flywheel set-up. Source...allpar.com

[fatFreddie]

Ya I seen that, its the only one I could find and condition isn't that greatest for how much he is asking. .

hahahahah...look who is the SELLER!!!

[greg g]

What is rarer MOPAR Fluid Drive Fluid or Hudson Clutch oil???

[Dodgeb4ya]

Chrysler indiscriminately referred to both the standard and semi-automatic fluid-coupling transmissions as “Fluid Drive” in its promotional and technical literature. This contributed greatly to the confusion between the two types, and many Chrysler Corp. car owners of that time did not understand the difference. Many who had the fluid drive/3-speed manual configuration were not aware of any difference between that and the conventional flywheel set-up. Source...allpar.com

I think Chrysler Corp was quite clear in descibing the different types/combinations and marketing names of transmissions used with the Gyrol Fluid Drive couplings in all their publications.

Just a few shots of this in factory Data, Sales and owners booklets.

[Adrian41D-19]

so, if i understand what i read here, i have a fluide drive coupling with a classic 3 speed on my 48 D24? no electric kick down like the chrysler? i buy this car recently i don't see it yet

i have a 1941 dodge coupe but it's juste the 3 speed w/o fluide drive on it

[Tom Skinner]

Jim,

About 3 months ago I saw full cans of that stuff going for around $90 a can.

Caveat, however, to the Shipper - Ebay doesn't want full vessels being shipped of petroleum based products. Solution - sell em locally at a car show, or empty them into another vessel and sell the cans empty at around $40 a can (I have seen the empties go for that much on ebay also) I believe you can check with ebay - they do not allow full cans of that stuff to be shipped under their aegis (sponsorship). I do see from time to time 3 in one oil cans full sell on ebay though???

I really don't know where they draw the line. I guess I'm saying check with them before listing.

Tom Skinner

Huntersville, NC

[1961 W200]

Jim,

About 3 months ago I saw full cans of that stuff going for around $90 a can.

Caveat, however, to the Shipper - Ebay doesn't want full vessels being shipped of petroleum based products. Solution - sell em locally at a car show, or empty them into another vessel and sell the cans empty at around $40 a can (I have seen the empties go for that much on ebay also) I believe you can check with ebay - they do not allow full cans of that stuff to be shipped under their aegis (sponsorship). I do see from time to time 3 in one oil cans full sell on ebay though???

I really don't know where they draw the line. I guess I'm saying check with them before listing.

Tom Skinner

Huntersville, NC

Ah very interest, I wonder if its a volume thing? Which I don't understand why they would bother saying you can't (its not like they have to handle it?) I figure if I do sell them ill do it locally. For now they add to the vintage mopar look of my garage:) Thx Tom

[MarcDeSoto]

Hi! I'm an American picker they call the "bundler." I'm a can guy, but I don't pay retail prices because I've got to have some meat left on the bone. I'd like to bundle both cans together and I'm at about $10 on it. How about it?

[BobT-47P15]

If I had those cans, I'd keep 'em for car related decorative items in the

garage. I have other period Mopar things I've come across.....and like

to look at them from time to time. Sometimes I use them in a trunk

display at a car show. I've seen a can or two of the fluid at swap

meets, but didn't check the price.