ATF recommendation for 1978 Corolla?

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: eljefino

And an 80s mitsu van! You guys have all the cool stuff.

Believe you have an "A40" trans if that helps you search, and various unreliable sources say Dex II.


Heh, that van is rare even here. It burns lots of oil. But, I just keep adding, and it's been rolling that way for the few years I've had it.

 

[OceanRuns]

Let's say I want to top off the fluid for the time being.

If it's Dexron in there, and I add some Type F, will I be ok?

Or, if it's Type F, and I add some Dexron?

With it being unknown, what should I top off with?

 

[cbear]

Before I looked, I knew it have to be in California. All those rotted away over 20 years ago around these parts. Enjoy your vintage ride.

 

[riggaz]

https://www.motul.com/gb/en/products/recommendation

I think I found your car on here chap

in the classic car section

 

[charbaby]

How many miles are on this car?

When we couldn't hardly get 150K out of a domestic engine, my sister had a 1972 Corona MKII and put on 150,000 miles on it in no time all without a hitch! She then sold it to a friends brother. He ran it up to 400,000 miles. This thing was sloooooooow, got only about 17 MPG but, RAAAAAAAAAN FOR EVER!

My sister then bought a domestic car and drove it for a couple of years, HATED IT and bought a new '79 Corolla and drove it to the mid/late '98s.

My buddy bought brand new, a 1976 Corolla in NM and drove it to ~500,000 miles between NM & AZ and finally got rid of it in 1998, IIRC.

ONLY replace what needs to be replaced when it needs to be replaced!

Toyota built these cars better than even they knew! They kind'a over built them without even knowing it! You almost can't kill'em! Especially the manual transmission models. Some that I am aware of, went over >300,000 miles on the 1st clutch...No Lie!

The Northern winters killed the bodies with rust but, the drivetrains were practically indestructible! Keep in mind that these cars were RWD! The went through the snow very well!

Anyone remember the Celica GT Liftbacks of the mid 70's? Another great running vehicle with a stick shift. Ran forever!

 

[Barkleymut]

I would call a couple of Toyota dealers and see what they recommend. I would think they would be able to look up anything toyo in their fancy dancy computers.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: OceanRuns
With it being unknown, what should I top off with?

The transmission is meant to run with a non-friction-modified ATF, which is Type-F.

If there's Type-F in there now, topping off with Dexron would contaminate it.

If there's Dexron in there now, I would top off with Type-F anyway, since that would slightly dilute any Dexron that might be in there, which would be a good thing.

If it were my car, I would immediately make arrangements with a garage or the dealer to replace the fluid with new Type-F, at which point you will be certain that the correct fluid is in there.

 

[threeputtpar]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Anyone remember the Celica GT Liftbacks of the mid 70's? Another great running vehicle with a stick shift. Ran forever!


I don't recall if it was a GT or not, but I drove a 1982 Celica hatchback with a 22R, rear wheel drive, and a manual 5 speed. That thing was a blast!

It was quite rusted out though, being from WI and all. The pop-up headlights were really neat.

OP - I'd follow Tegger's advice and top off with only Type F.

 

[Squirrelee]

All the research I've done online shows it has an A40 auto transmission which takes Type F fluid.

Later auto trans (early 80's) are the ones that take Dex II.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Squirrelee
Later auto trans (early 80's) are the ones that take Dex II.

Type F is used in 1982-and-below Corolla automatics.

Dexron is used in 1983-and-up Corolla automatics.

For 1983, Toyota replaced the old 3T-series engine with the new 4A-series engine. The transmission was redesigned at the same time.
Type F automatics were Borg-Warner designs. I don't think the Dexron ones are Borg-Warner.

 

[crazyoildude]

that was when toyota built a very long lasting engine but they were slow
those engines back then ran forever but the bodies rotted in no time

 

[OceanRuns]

As per info provided here (thanks), I went ahead and topped off with Type F. It took a half a quart to bring it up.

As far as replacing all the fluid, if I drain/fill, then I'll need to repeat a few times, correct? I am hesitant to have any sort of power flush done.

I've done the drain/fill before on a Toyota Van (which, like this has a drain plug, so matters aren't as messy as they could be).

I wonder if the Corolla has a filter. The van had a metal screen which was easy to reach when I removed the pan.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: OceanRuns
I am hesitant to have any sort of power flush done.

You wouldn't be doing a "power flush", but a "fluid exchange".

They disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the rad and hook them up to a machine. The machine retrieves the old fluid from the outlet while feeding fresh fluid to the inlet, eventually replacing all the old fluid with new. You can run a chemical flush at the same time, but that's not mandatory (and it's not recommended by some manufacturers).

The machine method is far more complete than anything you could do yourself, and a whole lot cleaner, neater, and faster.