RE: {Chrysler 300} Transmission Lubrication

OK, here it is. There is a professor of automotive studies at Weber State University named John Kelly. John has studied the history of automatic transmission fluids since its inception to date. He has a 5 part video series that investigates all the fluid types, including...wait for it...Mopar ATF. I had watched these a few years ago and forgot about them. He has fascinating videos on EV's too if you are curious.

Anyway, make yourself comfortable and watch. I think Mr. Kelly will help answer your questions.:

-----Original Message-----
From: "James Douglas" <jdd@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 5:37pm
To: "dplotkin" <dplotkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} Transmission Lubrication

Danny,

I was looking for something more than, “…transmission experts will tell you to use Dexron because it works in just about everything…”.

Why does Dextron work with “everything”? What was the old clutch material made of? What is the new clutch material made of? Are there any technical articles on the subject that go into what, why’s and the like? What is it about Dextron that makes it recommended? Viscosity, VI, boil point, ability to absorb water, and on and on.

I am not trying to be snarky or anything either, I really would like to understand the technical issues.

My old professor used to beat me up and ask me, “Do you think it, or do you know it?”.

So far all I can find are “I think” answers but no answers that state “I Know” and here is the technical logic and data behind it.

James

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of dplotkin
Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 12:46 PM
To: James Douglas <jdd@xxxxxxxxxx>; Chrysler 300 List Server (chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} Transmission Lubrication

James, one thing that has always bothered me about the subject of what transmission fluid should be used in 60-year-old automatics that have been rebuilt at least once and probably more than once since they were assembled originally at the factory with original composition clutch facings and so forth.

My understanding is that the clutch facings and parts that come in the transmission rebuild kits we buy aren't the same as that used when these Transmissions were assembled in the factory and when a fluid was specified to work with the friction surfaces in these transmissions.

I believe that's why Don and other transmission experts will tell you to use Dexron because it works in just about everything that has been rebuilt. What inside these Transmissions today do you think is actually sensitive to fluid type? I'm not trying to be a wise guy either expiring minds want to know.

Danny Plotkin

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date: 6/6/23 12:47 PM (GMT-05:00)

To: "Chrysler 300 List Server (chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)" <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Subject: {Chrysler 300} Transmission Lubrication

I have been following the subject of lubrication in Torqueflites.

What I would like to understand the science behind the various views on the subject. Reviewing the archives, I do see some strong opinions on the subject. But, I have yet to read anything that is backed up by some science one way or the other.

If anyone has a well-documented case for the use of a particular transmission fluid, I would like to read it.

I can mention that I wrote an email to several lubrication manufacturers and asked them what is their recommendation for a replacement for a “Type A”, “Suffix A” transmission fluid. Two have responded so far:

Exxon-Mobil Support Engineering: “Our Mobil Multi Vehicle ATF is suitable for Suffix A requirement”.

AMSOIL Technical Support: “our Signature Series Multi Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, product code ATF, as a substitute for a Type A transmission fluid.”

What I would like to know is what is the science behind recommendations to the contrary.

I can tell you I spent a couple of years off and on running down the proper fluid, backed by period articles, SAE papers, and talks with the last vestiges of Gyrol on Fluid Drives. It completely contradicted all the old wife’s tales that are still out there on that subject. I wrote an extensive technical paper on that. I have yet to see anything in-depth on the subject of ATF in older torqueflites.

So, for now, I do not have anything to hang my hat on, one way or the other on the subject.

Anyone who can enlighten me, please do.

James

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