legacycentral bbs

I have been out changing over the tranny to Amzoil severe gear 75w90 to see if this helps in any way with my obstinate gear problems. I believe it calls for 3.8 qts. I put in 3 and the level was at the add mark. Added around another 1/2 qt. and got her down on the ground and now the level is way over the full mark. I am going to drive for a short distance tomorrow and check things again. What I am thinking is that this tranny may have the wrong dipstick in it and it has actually been low on oil all this time and that is why it is hard to get in gear.

Can someone with a 91 5spd describe their dipstick for me or compare with what I describe. I really wish I had a way to take and post a picture.

Mine has a metal loop forming the handle with a 45 degree bend in the middle of the handle. The metal that forms the handle extends through the cap and spreads apart to center the cap on the fill tube. The actual dipstick is riveted to the handle with 2 brass rivets. There is a plastic centering device half way down the dipstick. The end of the dipstick is 10 and 15/16 inches from the seating surface of the cap. The low hole is 1/2" from the bottom of the stick with the full hole a 1/4" up from that.

With the 3 and 1/2 qts. in the tranny the level was about 1/2" above the full mark. If I can find a parts place open tomorrow I may do some part number comparisons to see if that sheds any light on the problem.

Jeff

You have the correct dipstick.

You won't be able to drain out all the oil from the gear box, and checking the level when it's on jack stands or the car at an angle won't give you the most accurate results.

A totally empty tranny takes a full 4 quarts to reach the full level.

I checked out a dipstick at one of the local pick and pulls this afternoon and it does appear the thing is right. I worked pretty hard trying to get the car level up in the air, in fact I think I overworked the scissors jack and had to get a new one, hence the pick and pull trip. After doing some checking it does appear that there was oil left in the trans after draining like you say. I guess you would have to stand the car on it's nose to get all the oil out.

Jeff

Or pull the tranny and break it open.