C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Looking for reassurance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 10:23 PM
  #1  
dwspender's Avatar
dwspender
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Default Looking for reassurance

I just purchased a 1978. Wanting to learn from the care of the vehicle. I'm a biologist, not a mechanic, but I love to learn and trying to do as many things on the vette as I can

Changed the transmission fluid and filter tonight. MESSY. My Haynes Corvette Manual says 6 pints for routine change and 20 pints fill from dry. After I add fluid, I shift through gears several times then place it in park, still running, and check the fluid level. I added six pints and saw no fluid on the tip of the transmission stick. Added 2 more and still nothing. Ended up adding 10 pints before I see any fluid on the end of the dip stick.

I think the fluid level was low before I changed the fluid and filter. As I added more fluid from 6 up to 10 pints I noticed more definite gear changes at idle with my foot on the brake. Little change after I'd added 6 but more definitive after a total of 10 pints. Drove it a bit and checked more. Still looks like i need to add more, according to the dip stick.

So my concern is the book says 6 pints after routine change. I've added a total of 10 pints and it looks like it needs more.

Sound okay? Add more? Anything i'm overlooking?
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 10:24 PM
  #2  
dwspender's Avatar
dwspender
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Default

BTW, I have the 350 transmission
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 10:35 PM
  #3  
210ken's Avatar
210ken
Pro
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 651
Likes: 452
From: Napa, CA
Default

How was the transmission performing prior to the fluid drain and refill? Shifting firm or soft? Slipping or overheating?
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 12:21 AM
  #4  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,947
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Default

Did you happen to measure how much came out, and what the dipstick measured before (everything needs to be warmed up to get a valid reading, I think). Perhaps it was just really low before. I'd keep adding until it measures correctly, then go drive the snot out of it.

Adding a third pedal to your car is always the correct solution to automatic transmission problems.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 03:57 AM
  #5  
hunt4cleanair's Avatar
hunt4cleanair
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Default

Originally Posted by dwspender
So my concern is the book says 6 pints after routine change. I've added a total of 10 pints and it looks like it needs more.
Sound okay? Add more? Anything i'm overlooking?
Congrats on the 78...I like em. The 6 pints refers to the volume held in the oil pan. Then there are an additional 20 pints in the converter assembly. The shop manual states it should be filled, as you're doing, "to the correct level determined by the mark on the dipstick rather than by amount added."

When I had my fluid changed a few years back, I did a flush versus a drain. A flush is when a shop uses a pump to push fluid through the THM, cycling it throughout. I'm not sure what its called but others I'm sure will pop up and describe it.

Hope this helps!
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 06:52 AM
  #6  
dwspender's Avatar
dwspender
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Default

I like that
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 07:34 AM
  #7  
BKarol's Avatar
BKarol
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 667
From: Northeast
Default

Here is a great PDF to download: https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf

If you interested in obtaining a copy of the original invoice you can through the GM Heritage ($50) http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=1
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 08:26 AM
  #8  
dwspender's Avatar
dwspender
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Default

Originally Posted by karol
Here is a great PDF to download: https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf

If you interested in obtaining a copy of the original invoice you can through the GM Heritage ($50) http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=1
Excellent resource
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Looking for reassurance

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:36 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE