904 fluid capacity?

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Dusterdude72

Dusterdude72

IN MOPAR MUSCLE MAGAZINE
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Hey everyone.....I am about ready to fire up my engine in my duster that some of you may have seen my build thread on over the passed year.

but before I do that I need to know how much and of what kind of fluid I need for my trans?

its bone dry,no fluid in the trans or converter or lines or cooler.

its a 1974 904 non L/U with a 2200 TCI stall converter and a roughly 6" by 10" tranny cooler with about two 6 feet long trans lines.

any help would be appreciated

Thanks
 
Since its not all stock about all you can do is start with 9 quarts. Run it and check it hot in neutral.
 
how many quarts would a stock system take with a 904? and what fluid type should I be using?
 
anyone else? I have heard 8-11 quarts of fluid from searching various threads.....I have seen atf +3,atf +4 and Dextron 3 aswell as some others.

I understand I should start it in neutral as that is when the pump is engaged and will suck trans fluid into the converter right away.

Ill probably pour 4 or 5 quarts in first,fire it up and then top it off.

any sure fire info is appreciated as I am going to the parts store to buy what I need. Thanks in advance
 
I figured with as many members were on this morning that someone would know lol.

been trying to find a solid answer for about 2 hours now and not much luck.....trying to get an early start and get to the store and get what I need.

so if anyone knows for sure what fluid type my 904 takes I would appreciate the help.....I don't know if its dextron III or if its ATF +4 or something else
 
I am not sure about the fluid, but I can tell you that if you put 5 quarts in when you start do not put it in gear and try to move it. I only had about 5 quarts put it in and pulled it outside to break the cam in, and went to back it in the garage again (slightly up hill and a lip at the concrete) and smoked the first and reverse servo.
 
I use Dexron 3 in mine. I only used Atf +4 in my concorde. I would just buy a case and whatever thats left over is extra.
 
Thanks for chiming in......from what I understand ,dextron III is what Mopar called for so I am assuming thats whats meant to be used......and I THINK I read somewhere that ATF +3 was superseded by ATF +4 and that Guys run the ATF +4 because it gives a slightly firmer/harder shift that the dextron III does.

I also read somewhere of guys using one quart of 10w 30 engine oil along with there transmission fluid to add extra lubrication and I have also read of guys using hydrolic oil in there transmissions because it is the equivalent of B&M's quick shift transmission fluid.

Not that i am trying any of those tricks....I am just overwhelmed with all of the options I have read for transmission fluids in these trannies that i do not know exactly what should be ran in them normally lol.

but I think I will grab a case of Dextron III ,thanks
 
Larry Shepard recommends Ford type F in the Mopar Chassis manual.
 
Dexron 2 was used in the early models, superceded by Dex-III, I heard F gives better shifts, but I wouldnt count in it. ATF-4 is expensive and not mandatory in an older 904, only the new ones that are not labeled 904 anymore. 5 in the 'vert, 4 in the pan. Start in N as stated. Add 5 at idle in N, then wait a few minutes and check dipstick, probably need at least 2 more on an empty convertor install. Just keep adding and checking once you start to register, put in 1-2-d-r for about 3 seconds a piece so fill up the system and check again. Cant really tell on a cold trans, just get it above "add" and drive it for a few miles to heat up, then check once more. Convertor may drainback into pan overnight so always check running in N with parking brake on. Some trans dont drain back. IF your car leaks fluid at park but not running, best bet is your dipstick O-ring, as the fluid generally rises above this level when the convertor partially drains at rest.

PS>> 1qt of Mobil 1 15-50 synth oil as an addative? You bet! check it out..google it, and Lee Prichard
 
I use type f, and a quart of non detergent 30 wt.
I also jack up the car so the tires spin freely when first firing and adding fluid. Keeping it level dont forget.

I think mine took like 10 or 11 quarts.

I know some of the automatic cummins guys run HY-Gard john Deere fluid. Basically it takes heat better, but its part hydraulic oil. I dont know how it works in a car where its going to be shifting a lot.
 
i just did one a week ago...

put 6 qts in it with a deep pan...cooler...lines and 8 inch converter..

started in neutral....after cam break in..I topped off the trans fluid...with another quart or two...
 
i just installed a new 904 and added 1 quart to a bone dry new convertor then installed convertor on tranny, installed trans in car with clean lines and radiator and added 10 quarts with trans hot and fluid on fill line. i started car when i had 6 quarts in it.
 
I just installed a 904 in a 66 valiant last weekend. I always go by feel. I poured one quart in the TC and 4 in the pan, then started it up and poured as much as it would take to fill, which ended up being 7 quarts.

Theres lots of good info here and I agree with the stock specs provided most recently. Theres no way, in my experience, that a stock set up takes more than 7-8 quarts.

I say start with 6 or 7 with your set up and go from there, following some advice here about warm up and running through the gears to get it circulating.

I have used ATF+3 and 4 for a long time before realizing that mopars of that age called for dexron 3 and have had zero issues. These are pretty simple transmissions and will run on any atf I bet, but to stay safe, choose dexron 3 of any brand.

Ford type f has been used for firmer shifts, but remember, this is an old fluid and has much less lubricating properties than dexron, thus causing the firmer shifts and the subsequent need to change more often.

ATF+4 and earlier are formulated for newer vehicles with lock up clutches and whatnot, so it contains more additives unnecessary in our older transmissions.

Hope this helps if nothing more than supports whats been said. Drive on.
 
sorry guys, I got it figured out 4 years ago lol.

Finished restoration and sold Duster last summer.
 
xMOPARx said:
Thanks for chiming in......from what I understand ,dextron III is what Mopar called for so I am assuming thats whats meant to be used......and I THINK I read somewhere that ATF +3 was superseded by ATF +4 and that Guys run the ATF +4 because it gives a slightly firmer/harder shift that the dextron III does.

FYI (and yes I know it's an old thread): Type F will give firmer shifts. Next is DexRON III.
Type 4(ATF+4) has more added friction modifiers & while keeping heat down, it would lend itself to softer shifts than DexRON III or Type F.
Click to expand...
 
Surprising just how many different volumes and methods pop up...
and now, back to the top in 2018.
 
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