1st time and whoops I didn’t it!😆

[matt w]

Ok I drained all the fluid out of my transmission and well when I went to refill it ....about 3 quarts ended up on cardboard covered garage floor!! So now that I cleaned THAT MESS UP! I’m headed to the AP store for more fluid! I just have to laugh at myself!

I don’t want to hurt anything so what is the “proper” procedure to fill up a 1973 C-4 automatic transmission that was drained?

This will give me something to do in about 30 mins when I will have gotten back from the AP store with new fluid!
Thanks

Ps it’s ok I do stuff like this ALL THE TIME!

 

[Tiko433]

Did you drop the pan ? If so did you drop the filter? If you dropped the filter were you careful about the pressure spring and plunger under the tap of the filter? If you have a pan fill and just removed the tube to drain it . I would start the truck and add fluid until it reaches the low mark on the stick. Do not drive it but shift through all the gears then back to park and check fluid again then add fluid to the proper range on the stick. Good luck
I think we all have done that . One time I drained the pan and put the plug back in it . I dropped the pan the next day thinking it was empty, it filled more over night , made a big mess when I pulled the pan thinking it was empty

 

[Broncobowsher]

For a never rebuilt '73 C4 fluid should be Type F
If rebuilt in the past 20 years, could be Mercon. Depends on the rebuild kit.

 

[DJs74]

Ok I drained all the fluid out of my transmission and well when I went to refill it ....about 3 quarts ended up on cardboard covered garage floor!! So now that I cleaned THAT MESS UP! I’m headed to the AP store for more fluid! I just have to laugh at myself!

I don’t want to hurt anything so what is the “proper” procedure to fill up a 1973 C-4 automatic transmission that was drained?

This will give me something to do in about 30 mins when I will have gotten back from the AP store with new fluid!
Thanks

Ps it’s ok I do stuff like this ALL THE TIME!

For a totally empty transmission... for example a complete rebuild - I pour in the first 4 quarts, start the bronco and run through the gears (don't try to move it, just go through the gears so the fluid circulates), with it back in park, add an additional 3 - 4 quarts and start checking the stick. You may end up adding another quart or two to get the proper level. Should hold a total of 8 to 10 quarts.

If you only drained the pan (like a filter change), probably about 4 quarts total. The torque converter, radiator cooler, possibly an auxiliary cooler if applicable will hold another 4+ quarts that will remain in the system with only a pan drain.


DJs74

 

[matt w]

For a totally empty transmission... for example a complete rebuild - I pour in the first 4 quarts, start the bronco and run through the gears (don't try to move it, just go through the gears so the fluid circulates), with it back in park, add an additional 3 - 4 quarts and start checking the stick. You may end up adding another quart or two to get the proper level. Should hold a total of 8 to 10 quarts.

If you only drained the pan (like a filter change), probably about 4 quarts total. The torque converter, radiator cooler, possibly an auxiliary cooler if applicable will hold another 4+ quarts that will remain in the system with only a pan drain.


DJs74

Thank you! That was perfect advice ! All the best!

 

[sprdv1]

hate it when that happens..

 

[Rustytruck]

gotta run it so the converter fills, if you just pour it all in there is no place for it all to go. the converter is just a big empty bubble. That is if you drained the converter.