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"Dry" tranny - how much fluid to add initially

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Old Apr 7, 2014 | 11:58 AM
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Default "Dry" tranny - how much fluid to add initially

When getting a 4l60E that is pretty much "dry" (either a new rebuild or one from a junkyard that has been drained prior to storage) how much transmission fluid are you guys adding initially BEFORE starting the engine and checking tranny fluid levels on a hot, idling in park engine? Looking to get as close as I can to "full" before getting engine up to warm so I can check it in park idling on warm engine. By the way, where should tranny fluid level on dipstick be "approximately" on A STONE COLD engine? That will also help me get closer before taxing a dry tranny.
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Old Apr 7, 2014 | 02:12 PM
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my trans guys said to do as follows:

add 4 quarts, fire the engine for a minute then shut it off

add 4 more quarts, fire the engine, run it through P R N D without moving the vehicle, couple seconds in each gear.

back to park, check the stick. should see some fluid on it with the engine running now

add 2-4 quarts depending on how big your trans fluid cooler is.

total of 10-12 quarts.
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Old Apr 7, 2014 | 05:40 PM
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With the engine off, check the dip stick; if nothing, start with 5 quarts.
Then with the engine still off, gradually add fluid until it is 1 inch above the "Full hot" line.
That will give you plenty to safely start the engine.

The advice you got is pretty good, but if the trans really was completely empty due to a rebuild, I would want more than 4 quarts before even a brief engine start.
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Old Apr 11, 2014 | 09:20 PM
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8 qts....
then fire it up and check the dipstick
add until you get to the Full level on the dipstick when the engine and trans are up to full operating temperature

it will take 10-12 total
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Old Apr 12, 2014 | 07:38 AM
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
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Originally Posted by truckdoug
my trans guys said to do as follows:

add 4 quarts, fire the engine for a minute then shut it off

add 4 more quarts, fire the engine, run it through P R N D without moving the vehicle, couple seconds in each gear.

back to park, check the stick. should see some fluid on it with the engine running now

add 2-4 quarts depending on how big your trans fluid cooler is.

total of 10-12 quarts.
This is good advice. Mine took around 9/10 quarts from dry.
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