1958 Lincoln Trans. Fluid

[SpiritCrusher]

Hello, I recently picked up a 58 premiere and the trans needs some fluid added, the fluid in the tranny right now looks a lot like type F, I just ordered the MM but don't know what to add, I did some searches but couldn't really find the info I was looking for. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Bob Hubbard]

Type F.

Bob.

[Dan Szwarc]

I don't think you should be using Type F since it didn't exist until 1961. It's probably Type A.

If the transmission was rebuilt in the last decade, it probably should be using Dexron II or III.

In the end, with all the posts about fluid, if you're just topping off the system, you can use Type F or Dexron.

[SpiritCrusher]

Thanks for the info.
Dan, I don't have any history on the service of this vehicle, previous owner had it sitting in storage with other cars for 10 yrs., he said he started the the car periodically but that was it, after reading those post on tranny fluid I just dont wanna throw the wrong stuff in there.

Thanks.

[Bob Hubbard]

I don't think you should be using Type F since it didn't exist until 1961. It's probably Type A.

If the transmission was rebuilt in the last decade, it probably should be using Dexron II or III.

In the end, with all the posts about fluid, if you're just topping off the system, you can use Type F or Dexron.

Dan, when I had my 59, type F is what I used,and even though the car was not driven a whole lot, it didn't seem to alter the function of the transmission.
It shifted as it should with no problem.
Bob.

[TonyC]

Deanna Sclar wrote a long time ago in her book Auto Repair For Dummies that you can and should use Type F in a Type A transmission. Of course, that's been a source for debate here; but I'm more inclined to follow her advice, although I did not agree with her hatred for bigger cars.

---Tony

[mikem]

Dexron should be used.

[jon schapiro]

Type A was a clear fluid. They added red dye with Type F and subsequent fluids. I agree - would use Dexron.

[Gerald F. Chase]

Deanna Sclar wrote a long time ago in her book Auto Repair For Dummies that you can and should use Type F in a Type A transmission. ---Tony

I wonder if this lady author was influenced by the school of thought that racers using automatics would use Type F . . . I'm told.

I also wonder what year GM first used the term, "Dexron" . . . for the sake of historical comparison.

Finally, I wonder what GM recommended for PS and tranny in the last of the big RWD Fleetwoods.

[SDContinental]

Deanna Sclar wrote a long time ago in her book Auto Repair For Dummies that you can and should use Type F in a Type A transmission. ---Tony

I wonder if this lady author was influenced by the school of thought that racers using automatics would use Type F . . . I'm told.

I also wonder what year GM first used the term, "Dexron" . . . for the sake of historical comparison.

Finally, I wonder what GM recommended for PS and tranny in the last of the big RWD Fleetwoods.

GM used regular PS fluid in the Fleetwoods, nothing special. For the 4L60E transmissions, it was Dexron III, but one could also use Mercon V since it's basically like Dexron, but is Ford branded and is a semi-synthetic with better properties which last longer than the older Dex III. Dexron VI might be too thin of an ATF from what I was told by a trans technician when he drained the trans fluid on my Fleetwood, thus affecting shift points causing slippage. But Dex VI can also can be used in the last big body RWD GM'ers.

Your 58 could use Dexron III, I use Dexron III in my 61 with no problems at all. The older transmissions weren't that picky on what you put in it, unlike modern transmissions.