How much fluid does my transmission hold?
This question is hard to accurately answer. It varies due to converter size, pan depth, cooler and line size, fresh build or service, and other variables.
Our suggestion is to ensure your dipstick is correctly marked, add approx 1/2 qt of fluid to the converter before install, with some fluid spread on the converter hub to prevent the seal or pump bushing from being dry. Add 4 qts on most units after install, start the engine, and then add 3-4 qts and start checking the level.
A Powerglide, TH350, or stock TH400 may be full with 9-10 qts on a fresh install, or in some cases it may take 15 qts.
How do I know that the dipstick is reading correctly?
The fluid level should be even with the pan gasket when warm, idling in park or neutral. You can confirm this level on a dipstick before install, or once it is installed, you can loosen the pan slightly to let excess fluid drain, tighten the pan back up, clean the dipstick, re-insert and check, and then mark the indicator at the proper level.
How do I know the converter is completely seated?
The old "3 clicks" method is not an accurate way to determine if the converter is correctly installed.
There MUST be clearance between the converter and flexplate when the trans is bolted to the engine.
In a perfect world this would be 1/8" or .125" everytime, and you just bolt it up and go.
In the real world, we have to check it and make adjustments as necessary.
On a typical GM engine, the flexplate mounting pads are 1" away from the bellhousing flange area of the block.
The converter pads when seated completely will be approximately 1 and 1/8th inch ( 1.125")recessed into the bellhousing.
Seat the converter, then measure the distance from the engine block bellhousing mating flange, to the mounting pad on the flexplate.
Then do the same from the transmission bellhousing mating face, to the converter mounting pads.
You should have the converter sitting deeper than the flexplate protrudes from the engine.
If so, you can now bolt the transmission to the engine.
With the trans bolted to the engine, you should be able to turn the converter freely.
Check the distance from the converter to the flexplate with the converter completely seated into the transmission.
You should have 1/8" to 3/16" clearance. (.125"-.187")
If it is more than 3/16", you should use flat ground washers to shim between the flexplate and converter.
