Dexron III ATF in 1981 Camaro?

[adreed24]

I was buying some ATF and I had a question that the parts guy couldn't answer.

I wanted to know if it was O.K. to use today's Dexron III ATF in a 1981 Camaro, which back in the '80's, called for Dexron II?

The parts guy told me that the car may need "special" Dexron ATF for 1980's-era Chevys, and that you had to buy it at the dealership or some speciality source.

He wasn't talking about simple "high-mileage" ATF that you can buy today, like MaxLife, for example. He was talking about some type of 1980's era-type Dexron, manufactured today to fit the specs of the early 1980's GM/Chevy cars.

Is any of this true?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Alan]

From what i've read the current Dexron III is backwards compatible with II.

 

[Mike_dup1]

It should say on the container that it is Dexron II, III etc. All ATF Dexron III I have looked at are compatible to all prior spec;s.

I put Dexron III in a 1964 Impala Power-glide trans and it worked like a charm.

You can usually find the data sheets for the name brands on the net, try Google, thats where I find info.

 

[novadude]

quote:

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I put Dexron III in a 1964 Impala Power-glide trans and it worked like a charm.

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Ditto. I am running Maxlife Dex III in my '65 Nova Powerglide, and I have put Dex III in several TH350s (most likely the trans your Camaro has). Dex III is backwards compatible. You will have no troubles.

 

[74 Laguna]

In 1975 when the turbo 350 transmission in my '74 Chevelle was rebuilt, the shop in L.A. that rebuilt it used type F transmission fluid. They said at that time they used it in all of the rebuilt transmissions they did. It gives a little firmer shift than Dexron. The car still has type F fluid and last time I drove the car it still shifted like new.

 

[Tremo]

I've also had a mechanic recommend type F fluid in the older GM transmissions, saying it makes them shift better.