What is everyone running,

the internet seems to be all over the place, the most consistent Ive seen is synthetic mercron V.

I tow ALOT, and I know these transmissions get hot

 

Synthetic Mercron is what is called for. I used the plane old Mercron for a lot of miles with no problem in my 90 which has over 215k on it, on the original tranny. The 97 has 235K on it with synthetic Mercron the last 40k, which is the mileage on the replacement tranny. That tranny showed 190K on the clock in the parts truck.

 

I am running synthetic merc V. As you have seen, there are several options. Is this a rebuild or just changing the fluid?

 

This is just a drain and refill,

do you remember what brand you used ?

 

As long as it meets spec, you will be fine. I ran mine to break it in after I rebuilt it on Super Tech ATF. Shifted fine, but was notchier when cold. Usually on the 2-3 shift. Shifted to Redlline D4, less notchy. Every German manual box I have stirred the gears in has been notchy, just how they are as far as I am concerned.

IMO, pull a PTO cover (or both) and install some rare earth flat, round magnets with 25-30lb pull. The only magnet in the damned case you cannot service. The fluid will stay cleaner longer.

 

Alright cool, thanks everyone

 

OH

Fill from the top so you can add an extra quart. Seems that is pretty SOP to help with heat and gear noise. If you have the means, do the short shifter from Midwest. It is awesome, makes the throws much shorter. I have a core if you want to use it for the conversion, just send me yours back.

I also found a guy that makes a sleeve to attach aftermarket shift *****.

 

I also found a guy that makes a sleeve to attach aftermarket shift *****.

Elaborate please. thanks

 

When I installed the ZF in mine I also brazed a fitting on one of the PTO covers and used the transmission temp sensor I'd been using with the E4OD. And, I'm using Redline MTL 75W80. Redline said the only drawback might be notchy cold weather shifting, it shifts fine.

 

I was fighting rollover after a SMF conversion on one, and a Local distributor found me a slightly heavier grade synthetic ATF for the big-dog Allisons, specd for HT750's. Have been using that along with a quart of Lucas trans. stabilizer, running about a half-quart overfilled through the top, and it's significantly better and shifts like butter, actually, better than with syn. Merc. Transmission had 150,000 or so when we did this, maybe 30,000 since and it seems fine.