Author Topic: Fluids  (Read 103197 times)

Offline Bitzer!

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Fluids
« on: March 01, 2012, 04:30:03 PM »

Hi guys, couple of quick Q's (again!)
Assuming all the sumps etc are empty....

Power Steering Fluid - how many litres?

Transmission fluid - grade/type? How many litres?

Diff - grade/type? How many litres?

cheers as always!

Andy
1979 GMC CrewCab  C20 1t
454 750 Holley,TH350, 14bolt diff fully floating
Why aren't there 8 days in a week!
A K5 rolling shell *new addition*

Offline bake74

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2012, 07:21:32 PM »
     If I remember your transmission is auto.  Powerglide = 1.9 liters.  Turbo 350 = 2.4 liters.  Turbo 400 = 3.5/3.6 liters.  Fluid type = Dexron 2. 
     Front dif = 2.1 liters, rear dif = Depends on what axle you have and size of ring and pinion (each one is a different amount).  Front dif use SAE 80W-90, GL-5 gear lubricant.  Rear axle use SAE 80W-90 gear oil.  (positraction axles must use special lubricant)
     Sorry no liters for power steering that I could find, but you are suppose to use GM power steering fluid or Dexron 2 automatic transmission fluid.
     Someone else will have to chime in for the proper way to charge up the power steering system.  I have done it before, but it is not the right way.
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Offline Bitzer!

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2012, 03:45:12 PM »

Nice one Bake, many thanks.

Who would be the ideal candidate to tell me how to fill it??

ta

1979 GMC CrewCab  C20 1t
454 750 Holley,TH350, 14bolt diff fully floating
Why aren't there 8 days in a week!
A K5 rolling shell *new addition*

Offline heavychevy91

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2012, 07:47:06 PM »
Sounds like you got the capacity down. To fill the power steering system fill the res., and with engine off hold a vacuum on it for a good couple min. This can be done a verity of ways. Mighty Vac makes a hand held pump for bleeding brakes and the like. I like to use that with a large rubber cork on the end or something similar. That will pull all the air out of the system. There might be other ways as well.

http://www.etoolcart.com/power-steering-evac-adapter-mty-mva660.aspx

Others just fill er up and work the wheel back and forth with the engine running till the air escapes. This might be the way bake was referring to. I have done it both ways.

Others will pipe in if i missed something.

Offline Jason S

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2012, 09:37:53 PM »
Bake is mostly spot on. However, if you're filling an empty transmission and torque converter you'll need quite a bit more fluid.

Per the 1979 GMC truck service manual:

For power steering, use GM 1050017 or equivalent.
For automatic transmissions, use Dexron II or equivalent (Dexron III is an equivalent).
For manual transmissions, use SAE 80W or SAE80W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. In Canada use SAE 80W.
For differentials, use SAE 80W or SAE 80W-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. In Canada use SAE 80W  (It seems as though those subject to the crown require the usage of 80W gear oil over the heavier 80W-90 gear oils).

 - For a Turbo 350: The fluid capacity of the 350 transmission and converter is approximately 10 litres (20 pints). If only the fluid has been drained from the transmission case (i.e., with fluid remaining in torque converter), approximately 3 liters (6 pints) of fluid is required to refill the case. Check the dipstick to verify proper filling over relying on the amount added. 

 - For a Turbo 400: The fluid capacity of the THM 400 transmission and converter is approximately 22 pints (roughly 11 litres). Approximately 9 pints (roughly 4.5 litres) are required after the pan has been removed and transmission case drained (i.e., fluid still in torque converter).  Correct level is determined by mark on the dipstick rather than by amount added.

 - Chevrolet 10 1/2" ring gear axle (14 bolt cover, full floating, 8 lug wheels): 5.4 pints (roughly 2.7 litres) SAE 80W or SAE 80W-90 GL-5 lubricant

 - Chevrolet 8 7/8" ring gear axle: 3.5 pints (roughly 1.75 litres)

 - Chevrolet 8 1/2" ring gear axle: 4.2 pints (roughly 2.1 litres)

 - Power Steering: there wasn't any specific number for capacity.  This will depend on equipment like hydroboost, power steering cooler, etc. It's likely going to be a couple of litres of fluid.

1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

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Offline ehjorten

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 10:25:45 AM »
Litres?  What are these Litres you speak of?  ;D

I just replaced the steering gear on my '91 and the procedure I used was to fill it with the engine off and the front-end off of the ground.  Rotate the steering through its full range of motion about 10 times, check and top-off the fluid, continue doing this until the fluid level doesn't change after rotating the wheel back and forth.  Then start the truck up and rotate the steering back and forth the same number of times, shut the engine down and let it sit for about 5 minutes to let any air escape from the reservoir, check the fluid level and top off if needed.  Start it back up and repeat a couple more times.  Observe any air bubbles in the reservoir.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline Bitzer!

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Re: Fluids
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2012, 03:52:19 PM »

Cheers guys for all the info. Always gratefully received!!
1979 GMC CrewCab  C20 1t
454 750 Holley,TH350, 14bolt diff fully floating
Why aren't there 8 days in a week!
A K5 rolling shell *new addition*