I haven't even thought about this until today, but, I do need to get the tranny fluid back into my TH400. I have NO idea how to do that. I didn't fill it before stabbing it back in, b/c it would just leak out.
What's the best method to get it back in? I can't even find a fill plug accessible from under the car.
Thanks in advance! Drew
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
You refill the TH400 through the dipstick tube. It's important that it be filled BUT not over filled. Too little and the torque converter will not turn the tranny/driveshaft (too much slip), too much and it will bubble over.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
1. Thanks for the super fast response, Salmon. 2. Guess I'll post back in about a year when I finish filling this bad boy. 3. From my research.. looks like 6 quarts. Should I put 4 in there, start up, let it circulate, shut it down and put in one more, repeat, then put in one more? I'm going to keep this on jacks for this process.
Thanks again!
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
I was just about to run through this and I remembered.. Haven't bled the brakes yet.... Think I'll wait on putting it in gear. But the good news.. She starts! And she runs well. Needs a bit of timing adjust and tuning. But, that is expected. Not a single leak. Time to clean up all the loose wiring, and get ready to drive!
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
It has 5 quarts in it presently, I read in a few spots about to fill or not to fill the torque converter, and seemed don't fill was the consensus. I didn't fill it, I mostly filled the tranny, I haven't put it in gear (haven't bled brakes), had it running for a total of about 60 seconds.
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
The converter should be filled before installing. You can only fill the converter so much before you install it. If you add too much, as soon as you tip it up to install it in the transmission, fluid runs everywhere. I always start with a quart in the converter and add to the transmission after that.
I did most like bronze said, a few quarts in the converter, seat the converter to the tranny install tranny, warm up , park on level surface check fluid. add thru dipstick tube.
It has 5 quarts in it presently, I read in a few spots about to fill or not to fill the torque converter, and seemed don't fill was the consensus. I didn't fill it, I mostly filled the tranny, I haven't put it in gear (haven't bled brakes), had it running for a total of about 60 seconds.
In the 30+ years I've worked on cars, I've never heard a reason [or argument] for NOT priming the converter... It's a lot easier to prime it so the pump doesn't have to fill it.
Guess I screwed the pooch on this one. Guess I'll have to pull the engine and tranny out again.
No, you can leave it in. It will fill just fine. It is just a good practice to add fluid to it before installing it. When I worked in the dealerships, the transmissions we replaced with the converter installed were not filled. It isn't going to hurt anything. Just like an oil filter. I always fill the oil filter before I install it.
Guess I screwed the pooch on this one. Guess I'll have to pull the engine and tranny out again.
No, you can leave it in. It will fill just fine. It is just a good practice to add fluid to it before installing it. When I worked in the dealerships, the transmissions we replaced with the converter installed were not filled. It isn't going to hurt anything. Just like an oil filter. I always fill the oil filter before I install it.
Well.. the dog's happy about that. Next time, I won't make the same mistake. Thanks!
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
Always fill the converter, last one I did took 3 quarts. Helps to get fluid and pressure in the trans and not destroy pump gears. Maybe one of the modern transmission evacuation and refill machines would help in situations like this.
I have a shallow pan, after it was all said and done, it was just about 8 quarts. I took a lot of time to fill, heat let it sit. I took almost the whole week to get it "full". Put it in gear to run through the gears after it was warmed up, and it was grabbing. I'll be ready for a test drive tomorrow.
Gonna go redneck style.. No exhaust and no hood. I have a license plate somewhere too...
1957 Thunderbird 289 1967 Firebird Base 461 1968 C-20 327
