Hi all, Im trying to find out what type of fluid to use in my 67 power top pump.


Thanks Bob B.

ATF. Mine still had the original label on it and that's what it called for.

Do you also have a coppy of the owners manual with the supplement for the power top? If not you might want to get one most of the aftermarket places sell them. I know Classic has them

If you're installing a new one or refilling an old one, make sure you bleed it properly and don't overfill the reservoir...you run the risk of blowing the big center o-ring seal that the halfs mate to...ask me how I know

Dextron II

All good advice. Also, do not fill the reservoir right up when the top is up or it could blow out the o ring or fill cap and make a huge mess when you lower it. The displacement of the hyraulic rams makes the level difference from up to down. If you fill it when the top is down, you shouldn't have any problems. Once you have it all bled, fill it to just under the hole with ATF when sitting level.

I ended up using Dexron to top mine of when I could not find the Body by Fisher Manual recommended Type A trans fluid.

I later found a can (yep, the old type oil container) of some type A in some of my dad's garage stuff. I used it when I later restored the leaking cylinders.

Jim was the old type A red like ATF? Before I purged mine with red ATF it had a clear almost brake fluid color oil in it.

The power top pump I had rebuilt in South Carolina specified to use ATF in the system. It has a lifetime warrany now, so I'll use what he wants.

Yes. I just looked at the pickle jar of my left over Type A trans fluid and it is red.

For what it is worth, my understanding is that '67s had brake fluid initially and later switched to ATF. I bought my '67 in 1980, so it likely had the "original" fluid in it, which was the straw-yellow color of brake fluid. Sometime later, one of the plastic lines broke, spraying fluid onto painted surfaces, definitely screwing them like brake fluid would.

I just re-filled my system this summer and put brake fluid back in it; according to my copy of the '67 Body by Fisher manual, it calls out refilling the "resevoir unit with specified Delco No.11 Hydraulic Fluid (GM Hydraulic Brake Fluid Super No.11 or equivalent)." (page 13-27, Installation section #1).

It's been so long since I've dealt with ATF fluid in a GM car, I don't recall if all types of GM ATF fluid were alway red in color; hopefully I haven't screwed up my pump & cylinders....

Good info guys thanx for posting it. Mine looked like brake fluid too. I was unsure if I should be changing to ATF, but that is what the guy wanted me to use, so I purged out all the clear/yellow fluid and replaced with ATF. He didn't specify why he wanted ATF and I guess I didn't ask.
I am sure if your vert came with that fluid originally the seals & such should be compatible.

OK I'll try the atf,should I drain the other yellow colored fluid or is it alright to mix

Do not mix! There may be viscosity differences, additives, tagents and detergents that are not compatable. The complexity of lubricants and oils has really changed over the years along with the bases they are made from.

Do you have the system apart right now? Its going to be a big PITA if you don't. I would try to purge out as much of the old oil as possible if you want to use ATF.

If you are just looking to top up a little, then it may be worth finding out exactly what is in there. Is it brake fluid for sure?

I don't know how well they will mix together if you just add a little ATF.