T-56 Fluid. Did I mess up?

[Mrmaroon]

I changed the fluid in my t-56 when I bought it. It was pretty noisy in neutral, but I guess that's how all t56's are. Anyways, I had my fiancé go to the store while I was at work and told her to get Dextron III fluid. She came back with DEXTRON VI and said that's what the parts guy said to use and that they didn't make DEX III anymore. I looked on the back and it said "compatible with DEX III". I ended up putting it in.

When I changed the fluid the sticker on my tranny said to use DEX IIE. I've been reading and learned that the newer DEX is synthetic and not to run synthetic in a Warner T-56. Did I mess up my tranny? I went back to the zone and tried to find something compatible. So far all I could find was this.

http://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/Pennzoil-DexMerc-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid,-1-qt,-6-ct.product.100138764.html

will this work for what I need? Also, is my trans messed up from the DEX VI? It's been run for about 500 miles.

edit: My other question is - What is a paper blocker ring? I keep reading about it, but I can't figure out what that is.

[Dan]

Noisy in neutral is usually the throw out bearing. I researched this before. GM has a fluid but I don't remember the part #. I believe you can go to a dealer and get it there.

Edit: GM 88861800 is what a guy know used when he changed his fluid. His car is a LS1. Don't know if there is a difference :\

[Catmaigne]

Pennzoil syncromesh is definitely a little smoother than regular dex3 compatible stuff. If you wanna drop $40 on trans fluid then use that, but I have never had an issue using generic dex3 compatible ATF.

No fluid is going to solve your neutral noise. It is fork rattle because of the pull type clutch, the nature of the beast. A rubber trans mount makes it a little quieter.

[Mrmaroon]

Ok thanks guys - I can live with the noise. Also what are the paper blocker rings? Is it part of the synchros?

[MKCoconuts]

I had a discussion with a GM mechanic on this when I bought my black Camaro with the M6. You are not supposed to use Dex-VI because it's not compatible with the synchros (they're bronze or brass, I don't remember which). The reason the bottle says compatible with earlier Dex fluids is because it supersedes them for automatics. As to the parts store idiot, yes they still do make Dex-III specific ATF. Castrol, Valvoline, Lucas, Red Line, Royal Purple, Mobil 1 and most house brands still make it. Most bottles say "Dex/Merc" on it. This is what you want. Alternatively, if it lists several specs, including Dex-II, Dex-IIE, and Dex-III, but excludes Dex-VI, such as Lucas, Royal Purple, and Mobil 1 do, you are okay!

Blocker rings is just another name for your synchros.

[Dave_Ltxfromhell]

My car dosent wanto to start how can i find out if its the opti spark or my spark plugs?

[blackbirdws6]

I would drain the Dex VI and just get Dex III. Plenty of places should have it. Back when the trans was stock, I normally used Dex III but did try RP synchromesh. It seemed to work well in cold temps.

Now that the trans is built, I follow what the builder tell me. Current trans was broken in with regular Dex III and then switched to Mobil 1 synthetic and a little GP 2000. That is overkill for what you need.

[gmpowered]

I had a discussion with a GM mechanic on this when I bought my black Camaro with the M6. You are not supposed to use Dex-VI because it's not compatible with the synchros (they're bronze or brass, I don't remember which). The reason the bottle says compatible with earlier Dex fluids is because it supersedes them for automatics. As to the parts store idiot, yes they still do make Dex-III specific ATF. Castrol, Valvoline, Lucas, Red Line, Royal Purple, Mobil 1 and most house brands still make it. Most bottles say "Dex/Merc" on it. This is what you want. Alternatively, if it lists several specs, including Dex-II, Dex-IIE, and Dex-III, but excludes Dex-VI, such as Lucas, Royal Purple, and Mobil 1 do, you are okay!

Blocker rings is just another name for your synchros.

Brass/ bronz has nothing to do with compatiblity. Those materials are used in every other auto trans the fluid is recommended for. That gm tech should find a new career.

Op, it shouldn't hurt the trans. From camaro forums to the viper guys there are pros and cons for using the improved fluid. From how much the fluid has improved I would switch to the d6 if I had a t56.

Most Honda vw ect guys love gms additive and the d6. The Mrs vw would grind horridly in cold weather until we switched

[MKCoconuts]

Brass/ bronz has nothing to do with compatiblity. Those materials are used in every other auto trans the fluid is recommended for. That gm tech should find a new career.

I've never torn an auto trans part that had brass or bronze in it. And seeing as the GM tech has been doing his job for well over 40 years, I would think he knows what he's talking about, but I digress. FYI, there is a TSB out stating not to use Dex-VI in the manual transmissions. If I can find it, I will post it. Will using Dex-VI hurt it? I honestly don't know, but if GM is telling me to stick with Dex-III then I will. Stick to what is known to work.

EDIT: TSB 04-07-30-037D, Released Nov. 21, 2007

Manual Transmissions/Transfer Cases and Power Steering

Any vehicle that previously required Dexron(R)-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should use P/N 88861800. This fluid is labeled Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid. Power Steering systems should now use P/N 9985010. In the event that P/N 88861800 is not available, Dexron(R)-III may be substituted. Dexron-VI should not be substituted in manual transmissions or transfer cases as failure may result.

Apparently, since GM didn't renew it's license for Dexron-III, they changed it's name to the part number above, while making Dexron-VI the replacement for any application that called for a previous Dexron, with the exceptions above.

[Mrmaroon]

Thanks guys, I'll get it changed to the DEX/Merc. I think the "paper" I was reading about is a cellulose liner on the blocker rings. The newer t-56 have carbon fiber ones, so synthetic can be used.

[Dan]

Tremec highly recommends Dex III ATF.

[Injuneer]

Tremec actually states that synthetics should not be used because of compatibility with the synchros.

http://www.tremec.com/menu.php?m=110#Q3

See the third question on that page.

[guppymech]

My most recent change I used Castrol Dex/Merc and feel the trans shifts a little better than the previous Valvoline I used.

[95_TA_USMC]

Plus 1 here on the castrol dex-merc, good stuff and no noticable issues for miles and miles.

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[BALLSS]

OP

IIRC pre 1997 T56 were made with paper blocker rings and post 97 with carbon. From my understanding paper blocker rings do not like synthetic fluids

I just but the NAPA store brand DEX 3 in

[Mrmaroon]

OP

IIRC pre 1997 T56 were made with paper blocker rings and post 97 with carbon. From my understanding paper blocker rings do not like synthetic fluids

I just but the NAPA store brand DEX 3 in

@balls

Do you know what the paper part of a blocker ring is? I can't find any info on
It. I might ask Tremec. All the blocker ring photos I can find they look like solid metal?

Edit: I finally found the answer to my question. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/16/d5fd0985f8e5fa76eced56022f3698a7.jpg

The closest one has the paper inside the ring. The back on is the carbon ring.

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