dry transmission start up

[azgolfrat]

Hey Guys,
I'm starting up my rebuilt transmission very soon.
I'm thinking of going about it this way
- through the dip stick tube add about 7 quarts or enough to register in "good zone" on the dip stick
-start the car, wait 5 minutes
- check the dip stick, add as needed to the good zone again
- drive the car just a bit (the engine is new also and with the Marty O base tune is place I can get it around the block I think) & slow
- park, turn car off, add again to same spot on dip stick.
- drive normally again around the block
- add more
etc.

thoughts?
Thanks
-KK

[blazen71]

That's fine. I prefer to keep it on the low side of the cold zone at first. Then once you have a chance to get the transmission to full operating temp fill it to the hot zone. Being full at hot is more important than being full at cold. Make sense?

[azgolfrat]

Blazen, thanks
Yes, makes sense; I'm thinking "low fill side" keeps the fluid from being too much volume as it (the same fluid) expands due to heat.
Lastly, does the torque converter fill with fluid as a result of the tranny being run?
I ask because when I got my tranny back from the shop, they included a rebuilt torque converter, which I installed with the tranny; I never added fluid of any kind to the converter.
Being extra careful here as I go; at this point I want to avoid any big problems if I can.
Thanks again
-KK

[TORINO]

If the convertor is dry it will take about 12 quarts. There should be dry fill info some were, maybe owners manual. My 98 mark VIII (4R70W) has a converter drain when I do a complete change with filter it takes 12-13 qts.

[azgolfrat]

Torin, thanks.
It's odd - the shop manual I have, which is very complete calls for 12.9 quarts. The glove box owners manual says 17+!
In any case, it seems, based on these inputs and other reading I have done tonight, that the torque converter can be prefilled or it gets filled once it is installed and the internal transmission pump begins pumping.
So I am good. I think. :)