[Brady]

I have a 49 dodge wayfarer, with the fluid drive transmission. It hasn't been driven since the late '70s. The torque converter has red fluid filled about 1/2 way to full. It looks like modern transmission fluid. I have read 10w oil should be in the transmission, filled to just below the filler hole. What should the torque converter have in it and how much?

thanks

Brady

[DeSoto Frank]

Hi Brady,

Couple of quick tips regarding your Wayfarer...

1) Find a shop manual as soon as you can, reprints are available from Roberts MOtor PARts, among others.

2) Fluid Drive, and it's Chrysler / De Soto / Dodge variations is NOT in anyway an "automatic transmission", as has been used by auto makers since 1955. In the case of your '49 Dodge, it consists of a "fluid coupling" (not a true "torque converter"), regular single-disc clutch & pressure plate, and a three-speed manual gearbox, with column shift.

3) Fluid Coupling holds about 3 pints of oil, preferably ISO 32 "tractor hydraulic fluid", or in a pinch SAE 10 no-detergent motor oil. DO NOT USE ATF - IT CAN WRECK THE SEALS !
There is an access cover in the floor-pan on the upper right side of the tranny hump; once that cover is removed, there is a cover plug in the bell housing. Once that plug is out, you should be looking at the fluid coupling. Bump the starter or have a helper turn the engine over by hand, until the filler plug of the fluid coupling lines-up with the access holes. Wipe / blow-away any dirt from around the plug.
Remove the plug with a MAGNETIC socket (use a six-point socket, to lessen chances of rounding the corners on the plug). If you drop the plug inside the bell-housing, you will have quite a bit of work to remove the lower casing to retrieve it.

The fluid level should come to the filler plug or high-enough that you can see it on a screwdriver inserted through the hole.


4) Transmission uses SAE 90 gear lube, about 3 pints. Lube should be up to the level of the upper plug on the passenger-side of the gear case.

Get the factory shop manual or at least a MoToR's Manual covering 1940-1954, and read-up on your Dodge.

A very good on-line resource is the '46-'48 Dodge & Plymouth site:

"www.P15-D24.com" , those guys eat, sleep, and breathe flathead MoPar.

Can't stress enough that the Fluid Drive tranny system in your Wayfarer is NOT related to automatic tranmissions; many well-meaning gearheads who are not old enough to know differently may lead you down a wrong-path with well-intended advice.

Good luck with your Dodge !

[elmo39]

frank i,m not trying to belittle what you said , i have owned chrysler product cars from approx 1970, although i have never had a fluid drive , but i have a freind that has owned a 42 dodge with fluid drive for the last 30 odd years, it was restored in 1989, i know because i resprayed it for him , i have been on two long trips in the car with him , both were over 1000, miles, all he has run in the trans is ATF, and untill the first gear decided to expire ,which has nothing to do whith the fluid drive , he has had no problems whith he trans

[Brady]

Frank, thanks for taking the time with such a complete answer. It was just what I was looking for. Right now the tranny is out of the car getting a complete cleaning and painting, the body is off the frame, and the engine is being rebuilt. My engine man is 65 years old, retired, just does engines on the side at his home. He was telling me about working on those fluid drives in his early years, but was mad that he couldn't remember what it needed.

By the way, he told me he hadn't worked on the dodge 230 flat head six in 30 years, but my engine made two he has rebuilt in the last 6 weeks.

Thanks

Brady