Filling a "dry" transmission

[baltobernie]

If you have a transmission that has been repaired or overhauled, here's a tip I got yesterday from a Fiat mechanic:

Pour one quart into the transmission, cap the filler, then raise the motor end to distribute the oil to the rear of the unit, which won't get any oil if you fill it while level. Return to level, wait a while, then add remaining oil until it flows out of the hole. Now you can confidently reinstall the transmission with a properly full oil level.

It is not necessary to do anything special when performing a routine oil change, because the small amount in the rear of the transmission remains in the case when evacuating by way of the drain plug.

BTW, he recommended the Vick oil, not synthetic. And yes, there were a couple of ounces remaining in the second bottle.

[pope]

Good stuff Bernie,
I just rebuilt mine and used Dr. Trannys Goo Lube upon assembly. Good stuff. You have to buy 16oz. and dont even use 1 oz. So on the shelf it will sit for a decade.
Just to add to this, there is a small 4-sided drain plug on the bottom right rear of the case that will drain the last 1/2 cup of oil that is in the back case. I suspect that most owners dont know about it, and there is a 1/2 " hole between the front case and rear case at the bottom so that the oil can flow readily between the two sections, so on a regular oil change the oil goes right back there.

[Flyingthere]

Thanks for the info I really feel like I did it correctly and if something fails its because the system is worn, not because I left something dry.

[rlux4]

I'm confused. First off, this is the first I've heard of tipping the tranny to get lube into the rear, consequently, when I had mine rebuilt last year, I installed it and then filled it with GL1. So it was level when I filled it. Bernie, you're saying it won't get gear oil towards the rear of the case? Pope is saying there is a 1/2" hole for oil passage between the front and the back, which would seem to negate the need to tip it to distribute the lube to the rear. Am I misunderstanding something here? Is my tranny a gonner if I don't drop it again and tip it to get the rear lubed?
Ron

[pope]

If you have the tranny out of the car, by all means go for tipping if you want. It allows the back end to be flooded with oil and then flow back to the front. Nothing wrong with that. I'm just saying that on a normal in the car change, there is plenty of flow to the back end. Who am I to spoil the fun. Wonder if you have to practice on cows first.

[rlux4]

Whew! Thank you Pope. I was thinking I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
Ron

[baltobernie]

Agreed, Pope. The oil will flow to the rear upon startup. Ron will simply be a few ounces short of a full load

[rlux4]

And that's my normal condition anyway.
Ron

[pope]

Ron, you trying to get me in trouble with my buddy Bernie? I was only adding the fact that there is a small drain plug that you can use to get the rear oil out and to not fear about adding oil when it is on the car. If I worked for Vicks, I would have been fired today, for screaming Rons name to co-workers! LOL

Only kiddin' Ron, you know your the best.

[rlux4]

No Pope! I know both you and Bernie were correct, but I got confused trying to follow the logic. And therin lies the root of the problem. Now I'm still confused, but not about this subject.
Ron