1956 t bird transnission oil
 

what auto trans oil can i use that is averable

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

If the bottom of the car is dry, I would look in to a full synthetic such as Quick Shift or Red Line. Yes, it is expensive, but it has been proven to me to extend the life of a lightly used auto trans, and shift better when you get on it.

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

.
The shop that rebuilt the Fordomatic in my '55 said to use "Mercon".

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

A person has to look around for even Mercon now days. I use Type F but it's even getting hard to source. If it's not been recently overhauled (last 20 years or so) then I'd avoid the synthetics. The old seals were not made for synthetics. Mercon will work but Type F will give a more positive shift if it still has the bronze & steel clutch plates. I'd drain it if I didn't know what was in it and start over. Some ATF types don't work well with others.

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

Type A, which is really hard to find, was the original oil. Today's replacement is usually Dexron-Mercron. Some have used Type F (which came later) .

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

The ban of use of whale oil ended Type A and B. Type F was Fords new oil and Dexron IID was GMs after the change.

Now days Dexron IID/Mercon is the old style ATF post whale oil ban that are not synthetic. The Mercon V is supposed to be the replacement for the old stuff but it is synthetic. A person takes a chance purchasing any of the old specifications now days since all of them have been obsoleted by the newer synthetics. There is no guarantee that what the label states is actually what's in the container. If you purchase Type A then I can pretty much guarantee that is has no original material that is traceable to the original type A specification unless it's 50+ years old.

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

I was wondering how long it would take ... :cool:

SOURCE - http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/725.cfm

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

Synthetics are also an esther, just not a natural esther. Ford wanted a lifetime ATF so they developed the type F. Dexron was GMs new conditioned fluid to allow a softer shift than what type F would give. Ford went to the CJ type for the C6 since it had modern composite frictions. It ended up being compatible with the GM Dexron IID after GM quit using natural oil conditioners like jojoba oil and similar stuff. None of the natural stuff would last like the natural esther. The synthetics work but they are low viscosity so seal materials had to be developed that work well. In aviation, seals such as fluorocarbon and flourosilicon elastomer were developed to work with the esther based turbine oils. This is where synthetics came from due to the high temperatures in the turbine engines. It took the automotive industry a while to catch up.

Re: 1956 t bird transnission oil
 

I was able to get a case of Type F for my '56 at O'Reiley's. Did a drain and screen replacement as part of my getting to know my newly acquired T Bird. Seems to shift well and hoping a tear down is not in my immediate future!!:)