Trying to find out what type tranny fluid for my recently rebuilt hydramatic

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Do you have the ownersmanual?  It might say something there.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

The manual is going to list an obsolete fluid. First I’d ask the guy that rebuilt it. But if it “says” Dextron, GM says it’s all backwards compatible. Some sources say Dextron IV is the only one they license now, so no Dextrin III can guarantee it meets the old spec. Confusing huh?

Most of the rebuilders I found are saying just Dextron.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I have always used Type "F" in my '54 Mercury automatic transmission and that should be fine for your Lincoln hydramatic.

What about synthetic fluid

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

The manual is going to list an obsolete fluid.

First I’d ask the guy that rebuilt it

But if it “says” Dextron, GM says it’s all backwards compatible. Some sources say Dextron IV is the only one they license now, so no Dextrin III can guarantee it meets the old spec.

Confusing huh?

What Mike said, ask the re-builder. It is all going to matter as to what kit and friction materials he used, especially if considering going to a synthetic. He should have specified the type on the shop receipt as warranty is going to depend on it.

- https://fluidadvise.com/dexron-3-vs-4-vs-atf-4/

'TYPE-F' (if you can find actual 'TYPE-F') is going to give a much firmer shift. Save that for HI-PO.

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First an edit. Should have put Dextron VI. Don’t type Roman numerals much.

scrubrolet lists Dextron VI as a fully synthetic, backwards compatible ATF.

If your hydro is like any I’ve ridden in, you won’t need firmer shifts. They were fairly firm to begin with. And I’m not talking about B&M race units.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I love the misinformation about Type F fluid.  Because it is Type F, many people assume it is for Fords.  That is not what Type F stands for.  Originally there was automatic transmission fluid Type A.  It was then replaced by Type A, Suffix A.  Almost ALL cars during the 1950's through the mid 60's used this fluid.  Ford wanted a harder shift or correctly a more positive shift on the cars in the second half of the 1960's.  Type A was replace with Dexron.  Dexron/Mercon is a replacement now and the most correct fluid for your transmission is Dexron/Mercon III.  It is not recommended to use the Dexron/Mercon 6 in older transmissions.  
Fortunately, you can probably use any fluid that makes you feel good.  Lots of folks use Type F and other used the Dexron.  You can easily read the information on the sequence of the fluid types.  If you think that Type F means Ford, then use Type F.  If you want the most compatible fluid to the original, then that would be Dexron/Mercon III

Ford first produced its own transmission fluid formulation in 1967 (for 1968 model year run), referred to as Type F or Type FA. The name comes from Ford’s specification number for the fluid, ESW M2C33-F. This fluid was used in all Ford transmissions until 1977 and most Ford transmissions until 1980.

SOURCE - https://www.hemmings.com/stories/tech-101-automatic-transmission-fluid-part-one-american-manufacturers/

Unless the container shows the SPEC shown above, it is not the correct formulation.

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It is Dexron, not Dextron

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ