What transmission fluid should I use for a 904 with a shift kit!?

[lazysack2003]

So I am pretty new to the mopar scene and am not a master mechanic at all but I have recently pulled the 904 transmission on my 76 dodge dart what transmission fluid should I use. My dad an old mopar man says to use dextron lll my buddy who recently rebuilt his says to use nothing but ATF+4 I’m a little lost on what one to use also it should be noted that my 904 has a shift kit and any response would be appreciated!!!

 

[WV64Signet]

There are more than a few threads on this topic... often contentious as these tend to go.

Type F is often mentioned for more firm shifts.

 

[Professor Fate]

Depends on a few things.
Factory spec'ed DEX. DEXIII is the current backwardly compatible fluid, so it's okay. I run it in my DDs.
For OD or lockup transmissions, you need ATF+4. It has some additives that prevent lockup chatter- it also works well in non-OD/LU trannies, but at double the price of DEXIII.
Type F will work, but the higher friction coefficient results in firmer (some say harsher) shifts. If your transmission has been rebuilt with new bands and clutches, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for fluid; usually Type F.
Usually recommended for use with a shift kit too.
Pick your poison, they all have their place.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Dexron is fine. No need for the synthetic. The truth of the matter is the Torqueflites will work on motor oil.

 

[MopaR&D]

I run whatever brand multi-vehicle stuff in my 904 with a shift kit. I believe it's close to/compatible with Dexron-III but can't remember off the top of my head. The earlier non-OD transmissions are not sensitive to fluid type.

 

[GTX JOHN]

Type F for performance built torqueflites.

 

[Slantsix64]

Type F

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Type F

 

[Icetech]

Type F for 30 years.. no issues....

 

[abodyjoe]

So I am pretty new to the mopar scene and am not a master mechanic at all but I have recently pulled the 904 transmission on my 76 dodge dart what transmission fluid should I use. My dad an old mopar man says to use dextron lll my buddy who recently rebuilt his says to use nothing but ATF+4 I’m a little lost on what one to use also it should be noted that my 904 has a shift kit and any response would be appreciated!!!

whatever the dextron III compatable fliuid is onthe shelf these days... no need for type F. its not 1970 anymore..

i've been using this for years. no issues. STP Dexron/Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid 1 Quart




.

 

[QuickDart360]

Royal purple works great!

 

[Bewy]

I would use the fluid that the manufacturer recommends. If they are smart enough to design a complicated device like an auto trans, they should also be smart enough to know what is the best fluid for it...

 

[RedFish]

I would use the fluid that the manufacturer recommends. If they are smart enough to design a complicated device like an auto trans, they should also be smart enough to know what is the best fluid for it...

So you're saying how smart they were yesterday or how smart they are today? You still use the green coolant too? LOL sorry, I shouldn't have. Just couldn't resist. We know brake linings are made of different materials today. We can image transmission parts may be different today too.

 

[Bewy]

Well they were smarter than you are....then & now.

 

[71Demon540]

Anything red will work
Dex/merc is fine
Type f is fine.
+4 is fine
Dex VI is fine

Dex/merc will lubricate bushings and planetaries better than type F but type F will have firmer shifts due to the lack of friction modifiers in the additive package. Less friction modifiers, the quicker the clutch packs engage when they are applied. Other fluids have friction modifiers which help with smoother shifts. However, with a shift kit valve body, no matter what the fluid, it will shift firmer than stock application.

I run Dex/merc in my race car 727
5.40s at 125mph in the 1/8
Nick Allison runs Dex/merc in his 904 running 10.80s at 126 in 1/4
Other team cars with big power run type f. I do all the transmissions in our team cars and none of them have issues with any fluid. Being a builder, I tried different fluids to see if there was any difference in performance on the track, and during overhaul. So far I’ve found nothing.

I used to run type f as long as I’ve raced. But with valvoline Dex/merc being $20.24 a gallon at Walmart, I switched to it and car shifts the same as it did with type f.

So as stated, anything red will work.

 

[CRUZE 418]

Yes, I do still use green coolant, after watching the orange leak out of the head gaskets, and mistakenly getting some Fram green, but really isn't Green antifreeze leak the same way.
For the Op, any of the above ATF should be fine.

 

[Johnny Dart]

ATF+4

 

[Dartswinger70]

I don't know...I feel like whatever I say will be met with disdain and ridicule...

but when I ran a automatic Mopar it was Type F...

 

[8formulas]

Bought the car in 1986. Rebuilt the transmission in 1988 and used Type F to this very day. Works great.

 

[33IMP]

I would use type F, like I have for 40 years. But IF it shifts a bit too hard for your liking, some other fluid will soften the shifts, slightly.

But, by the way, if GTX John told me to use a milk and urine mix.... I'd use milk and urine.

 

[j par]

The cheapest stuff I can find at Walmart is the only thing I've ever used in my automatic transmission rebuilds...

 

[Bewy]

Not sure about the US, but in this country there is a plethora of coolants available. I use the Penrite brand & my next fill be their 12 yr coolant. The colour means nothing these days; I have seen yw, green, purple, red, blue, orange.

 

[CRUZE 418]

I know that this is an ATF thread, but coolant was brought up in post #13. So if all coolant is the same, why did GM have coolant leaking problems when they first started using the orange? They overcame the issue, but my engines have not. Green cured my leaking head issues, so I will stay with it.
Done arguing, use what works for you.

 

[Dartswinger70]

GM stuff was supposed to be 100k mile coolant not sure if that was the issue the additives etc i remember those systems getting cruddy by nature.

 

[A body]

Ran ATF +4 for over 20 years. Cheap in bulk at work. Presently running blue fluid