Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

My recently purchased 55 400 is down about a quart of trans fluid. What is the correct fluid to use?
Thanks for all/any reply.

Folks have reported using just about every type on the market without ill consequences. Closest to the original and NLA Type A is Type F.

The closest modern fluid to the original type A is the Ford type F but that is starting to be obsoleted too. Some specialty places now have a "modern" type A but don't know if anyone has used it. If your car still has the original cork faced linings on the bands and clutches I would stick with F because the friction characteristics are closer to the old stuff with a slightly harsher and quicker grab so less slip and wear on the cork faces. The Dexron fluids provide a bit more of a smooth engagement at the expense of some slippage but has been used with no ill effects.

Some say the B&M Trick shift is even better still but that is more expensive than type F and the jury is still out on whether it is that much better.

Unless you are going to drain and refill, the more important question is what was put in there over the years. Don't believe type A has been available since sometime in the 60 or 70s so hard to say what the previous owner might have used.

I am using wal mart type F..

Dexron-Mercon from Fred's dept store. Been using it about 15 to 16 years and nearly 22K miles in my 56 Exec. NO PROBLEMS!!!! It also seems to reduce the Direct Drive clutch groan greatly. The clutch groan was real bad for the first 2 or 3 years and 5K miles with probably Type F. But i'm not real sure what the previous owner used. He had the car from about 1992 thru late 1997 when i bought it.

When i first got the car i had to add fluid regularly. It has always leaked. At that time in the 1997 - 2000 year range i just added Dexron II that i had laying around from probably the early 1980's.

Later on about 2001 or so i drained and filled with the Dexron-Mercon.