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A833 Four Speed Transmission Fluid Recommendation

Steven Bowers

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I’m going to change my A833 4 speed transmission fluid ….asking for suggestions on the best type and weight oil to put back in it…..also how much does it hold…..
 
This is what I use. Synchromesh
It holds almost 3 1/2 quarts I believe.
penn.jpg
 
Brewers recommends Sta-lube #SL-24239. GL-4 is a must. Get a one gallon jug and you have all you need. You can get it at Napa and Walmart.

They seem to know what they are doing with manual transmissions so I use it.
 
Lots of guys on here have posted they use two quarts of ATF fluid and then two of your choice of tranny lube and they shift great. Thats what I am planning to use.....
 
Lots of guys on here have posted they use two quarts of ATF fluid and then two of your choice of tranny lube and they shift great. Thats what I am planning to use.....
What a great idea, some of this, a bit of that, just mix and match in the driveway!
Forget what a Mopar 4 speed specialty shop has to say, they don't know ****!
 
I used Sta-Lub and had gear clash (could be slightly worn synchros). Switched to Penzoil Synchromesh (post #2) and it shifts like butter. Gets my vote. :thumbsup:

Factory fill is 7 1/2 pints. Just use 4 bottles (1 gallon). What leaks out as you attempt to put the plug in will bring you down that 1/2 pint (or close enough).
 
Back in the day ( 70's ) the ATF in a 4 speed was a racers trick to try to reduce drag and lower your et's a bit , but .......... that idea was never meant to be for a daily or weekly driver . Check with Passon or Brewers .
 
R413 in earlier post is right to mention GL4 due to compatibility with soft brass synchromesh rings.
Brand or synesthetic/mineral there are many choices but make sure it is GL4
 
In the late 60's Chrysler issue a TSB to use ATF. It was because during cold weather, you had to use your foot to get reverse engaged. It worked fine in my 66 Belvedere.
 
As above post I use synthetic oil in my A833 it does not go all gooey like mineral oil and the box shifts far better when cold.
 
Lots of guys on here have posted they use two quarts of ATF fluid and then two of your choice of tranny lube and they shift great. Thats what I am planning to use.....

Perhaps, these "guys" will be willing to share the cost of the transmission rebuild/repair due to seal failure, synchronizer failure (especially the ones on the main shaft) and actual gear tooth wear. "Great" is a subjective term that means nothing, unless documented...IMO. What is being compared: cost, temperature, MPG, ease in shifting-cold vs hot, MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) lower ETs?. Maybe this is a "they said" rule.
ATF has totally different lubricating properties, and coefficient of friction level to promote long clutch friction disc life. The gear separating forces in a 4 speed transmission are totally different than those on an automatic transmission's planetary gear train as these gears are contained by the ring gear and tend to be cancelled out. Manual transmission lubricants contain an EP (Extreme Pressure) additives, a viscosity and film strength high enough to prevent actual metal to metal contact of the counter shaft and main shaft gearing during extreme loading conditions....like 1/4 mile contests. For my application, I'll continue to use a synthetic 80W-90 gear lubricant like a Mobile1 product, but to each his own....
BOB RENTON
 
I use GL-4 so I don't have to think about it: either 85w-90 from NAPA or 90w from Advance.
 
Well guys I thank you for an abundance of suggestions…..I figure to go with a good synthetic oil…..I saved my old oil that still looks good to me….although it’s most likely 20 years old…..certainly I’m not going to use ATF fluid…..
 
Perhaps, these "guys" will be willing to share the cost of the transmission rebuild/repair due to seal failure, synchronizer failure (especially the ones on the main shaft) and actual gear tooth wear. "Great" is a subjective term that means nothing, unless documented...IMO. What is being compared: cost, temperature, MPG, ease in shifting-cold vs hot, MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) lower ETs?. Maybe this is a "they said" rule.
ATF has totally different lubricating properties, and coefficient of friction level to promote long clutch friction disc life. The gear separating forces in a 4 speed transmission are totally different than those on an automatic transmission's planetary gear train as these gears are contained by the ring gear and tend to be cancelled out. Manual transmission lubricants contain an EP (Extreme Pressure) additives, a viscosity and film strength high enough to prevent actual metal to metal contact of the counter shaft and main shaft gearing during extreme loading conditions....like 1/4 mile contests. For my application, I'll continue to use a synthetic 80W-90 gear lubricant like a Mobile1 product, but to each his own....
BOB RENTON
Sounds as though you know the proper oil to use…I’ve never heard of using ATF in a A833 Four Speed…
 
It was a common thing done years ago to get gearboxes to shift better when cold.
Most companies have come up with the correct oils to get around the issue.
 
Brewers recommends Sta-lube #SL-24239. GL-4 is a must. Get a one gallon jug and you have all you need. You can get it at Napa and Walmart.

They seem to know what they are doing with manual transmissions so I use it.
I also use the Sta-Bil as Dan Brewer advised In my fresh rebuilt 18 spline. Shifts great, no worries :thumbsup:
 
I am no Engineer and have not kept up with the every changing oils and lubricants available to us using new compounds and friction fighters as our resident Bob has. He keeps us regularly updated, thanks Bob. As the saying goes, "We ve come a long way Baby." But in reading my 73 Service Chassis Manual, under Lubrication and Maintenance, page 0-23, it states our 3 and 4 speed manual transmissions came from the factory with ATF fluid and gives the Chrysler part number for Dextron ATF fluid and is recommended. Goes on to say change to SAE 90 or SAE 140 if gear rattle becomes objectionable . Obviously the designers had no idea of the damage being done to the seals, bearing, gears 50 years ago by this recommendation, at least in 1973, and we now know why all our 4 speeds are worn out from that time. Time to move up with the new stuff.......

IMG_0275.jpg
 
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Perhaps, these "guys" will be willing to share the cost of the transmission rebuild/repair due to seal failure, synchronizer failure (especially the ones on the main shaft) and actual gear tooth wear. "Great" is a subjective term that means nothing, unless documented...IMO. What is being compared: cost, temperature, MPG, ease in shifting-cold vs hot, MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) lower ETs?. Maybe this is a "they said" rule.
ATF has totally different lubricating properties, and coefficient of friction level to promote long clutch friction disc life. The gear separating forces in a 4 speed transmission are totally different than those on an automatic transmission's planetary gear train as these gears are contained by the ring gear and tend to be cancelled out. Manual transmission lubricants contain an EP (Extreme Pressure) additives, a viscosity and film strength high enough to prevent actual metal to metal contact of the counter shaft and main shaft gearing during extreme loading conditions....like 1/4 mile contests. For my application, I'll continue to use a synthetic 80W-90 gear lubricant like a Mobile1 product, but to each his own....
BOB RENTON



The 1970 Charger/Coronet factory service manual says to use ATF, and my 2008 manual 5 speed F150 uses ATF. Should I really be using gear oil?
 
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