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Sous, I had to drag you in on this regarding trans fluid. I have seen in other posts that you have recommended Redline high temp ATF. Well, after looking that up, I realized there’s a few different versions of ATF available. Is there a specific one you prefer? This is a freshly rebuilt trans.
@SoCal-Bob , I am pleased to see you have selected a clutch that you feel will work best for your situation. Please report back to us with your impressions and findings when you get a chance!
Talking about transmission fluid is nearly as bad as talking about oil brands... I will make my statement though and I am happy with my choice based on my own 1st hand experiences...
I started with Amsoil ATF after bringing the truck home. I did another Amsoil ATF install 1000 miles after that fresh change in order to get the rest of the left over oil out of the system. I only drained it from the bottom of the case and refilled from the shift lever port because the side fill plug was seized in place.
I moved to Red Line MTL after that and found it better than the Amsoil ATF, but made the shifting "clunky". That is not a technical or mechanical description and is highly subjective to the right hand and right arm of the driver. It is what it is...
I called and spoke to Red Line and I asked a couple of questions over email. Based on my own research and the advice from Red Line, I decided on Red Line High-Temp ATF 30204. I bought it on sale from Summit Racing a while back and I have been very pleased with it since pouring it into the case. There is zero (0) gear roll over, the clunkiness is gone except for cold GA mornings just after starting the truck up. The first few shifts are a bit clunky, but then the lever lightens up and is smooth as butter.
Now, people will tell you that ZF transmissions calls for a gear oil based on the literature from the manufacturer and that Ford calls for a standard ATF. Coincidentally, I have an in at the ZF Transmissions plant in Gray Court SC and I am more than comfortable with the Red Line High-Temp ATF 30204 in my transmission. As described by Red Line, the High-Temp ATF 3024 is...
For heavily-loaded vehicles, allowing operation at up to 70°F higher while maintaining thicker viscosity than traditional ATFs
Use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® or GL-4 gear oil are recommended
Dramatically less evaporation, less varnish of valves and clutches in extreme conditions
In my opinion, it is the best of both worlds in regards to what ZF and Ford recommends and this has been my experience since using it and running it for many miles towing 12,000 lbs cross country.
Is it right for you and your application? I have no idea and I have stopped being so blatant about recommending things because it doesn't always work out. I would advise you to do your research and select a product that you would be happy with. You are the only one to praise or fault at the end of the day. I am just some jackass on the other end of an internet tube.
Choose wisely sir and choose for you and your application.
@SoCal-Bob , I am pleased to see you have selected a clutch that you feel will work best for your situation. Please report back to us with your impressions and findings when you get a chance!
Talking about transmission fluid is nearly as bad as talking about oil brands... I will make my statement though and I am happy with my choice based on my own 1st hand experiences...
I started with Amsoil ATF after bringing the truck home. I did another Amsoil ATF install 1000 miles after that fresh change in order to get the rest of the left over oil out of the system. I only drained it from the bottom of the case and refilled from the shift lever port because the side fill plug was seized in place.
I moved to Red Line MTL after that and found it better than the Amsoil ATF, but made the shifting "clunky". That is not a technical or mechanical description and is highly subjective to the right hand and right arm of the driver. It is what it is...
I called and spoke to Red Line and I asked a couple of questions over email. Based on my own research and the advice from Red Line, I decided on Red Line High-Temp ATF 30204. I bought it on sale from Summit Racing a while back and I have been very pleased with it since pouring it into the case. There is zero (0) gear roll over, the clunkiness is gone except for cold GA mornings just after starting the truck up. The first few shifts are a bit clunky, but then the lever lightens up and is smooth as butter.
Now, people will tell you that ZF transmissions calls for a gear oil based on the literature from the manufacturer and that Ford calls for a standard ATF. Coincidentally, I have an in at the ZF Transmissions plant in Gray Court SC and I am more than comfortable with the Red Line High-Temp ATF 30204 in my transmission. As described by Red Line, the High-Temp ATF 3024 is...
For heavily-loaded vehicles, allowing operation at up to 70°F higher while maintaining thicker viscosity than traditional ATFs
Use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® or GL-4 gear oil are recommended
Dramatically less evaporation, less varnish of valves and clutches in extreme conditions
In my opinion, it is the best of both worlds in regards to what ZF and Ford recommends and this has been my experience since using it and running it for many miles towing 12,000 lbs cross country.
Is it right for you and your application? I have no idea and I have stopped being so blatant about recommending things because it doesn't always work out. I would advise you to do your research and select a product that you would be happy with. You are the only one to praise or fault at the end of the day. I am just some jackass on the other end of an internet tube.
Choose wisely sir and choose for you and your application.
I don’t believe I could do enough research to find what you already have, and through your experiences, I trust in your writings. I tried different fluid types in my current transmission in hopes to fix the problem. The problem never did right itself, and I felt no differences in the shifts from different fluids.
I don’t believe in any way the fluid you mentioned will do any harm to the new trans. I’ll be happy just to have all my gears back to working again.
a great thanks to everyone who has helped, including @SkySkiJason
I ordered a single disc clutch, so I doubt it will have a rattling issue. If it does, I’ll surely let it be known.
It isn't the clutch that rattles its the gears inside the ZF6, some clutches don't have very good dampening springs so it transfers the vibrations more. The one I had before my South Bend was terrible.
It isn't the clutch that rattles its the gears inside the ZF6, some clutches don't have very good dampening springs so it transfers the vibrations more. The one I had before my South Bend was terrible.
Good to know! Could the fluid have any affect on this as well?
Got the clutch and new trans done a few weeks ago. No rattling or vibration, it’s considerably smoother than it used to be. Also nice having all my gears back too.
Clutch and trans we’re still working great up until a couple days ago. The clutch is fine, but something went wrong in the shifter. I can’t get first/reverse or sixth. It’s like a big open hole. I can get it in to 2nd through 5th, but I have to feel for them. There’s no guide anymore.
I started another post in hopes someone understands what happened and can guide me through a fix. I haven’t found any shops near me that work on manual transmissions.
