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Proper Transmission fluid for a 84nwc t5

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sask84gt
  • Start date Start date Mar 7, 2026

Sask84gt

Member
Oct 13, 2024
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Mar 7, 2026
#1
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • #1
What’s the proper trans fluid for a 84 nwc t5? Is it type F atf or regular ATF. I originally used pensoil type F atf but when I lost fluid from removing and reinstalling( don’t ask lol) I mistakenly filled it back up with amsoil syncromesh. Want to drain and replace with proper stuff. Went down and bought what I thought was the type F but it was just the pennsoil automatic transmission fluid. On the back it says recommended for applications that need dextron3,2 and ford Mercon but not to use in cvt trans and for ford type F applications. Don’t have the original manual to refer too.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
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#2
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • #2
History on the T5's here:

Blog | Articles & Videos | Modern Driveline

View the Modern Driveline blog for helpful articles, videos, and DIY resources. We are your trusted source for everything manual transmission conversion.
www.moderndriveline.com

"It is because there is no bearing under each gear and the bronze synchro rings that the NWC T-5 use the heavier Dextron II. Since Dextron II is no longer available the engineers at TREMEC now recommend using straight 50w gear oil."

Link to MDL recommended 50w gear oil:

https://www.moderndriveline.com/lucas-oil-50-weight-oil-for-non-world-class-tremec-t5s/
 

Sask84gt

Member
Oct 13, 2024
24
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Mar 7, 2026
#3
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • #3
AeroCoupe said:
History on the T5's here:

Blog | Articles & Videos | Modern Driveline

View the Modern Driveline blog for helpful articles, videos, and DIY resources. We are your trusted source for everything manual transmission conversion.
www.moderndriveline.com

"It is because there is no bearing under each gear and the bronze synchro rings that the NWC T-5 use the heavier Dextron II. Since Dextron II is no longer available the engineers at TREMEC now recommend using straight 50w gear oil."

Link to MDL recommended 50w gear oil:

https://www.moderndriveline.com/lucas-oil-50-weight-oil-for-non-world-class-tremec-t5s/
Click to expand...
Ok well from what I’ve read so far one thing that is pretty common is not to use gear oil. ‍
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,880
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Claremore, OK
Mar 7, 2026
#4
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • #4
The WC T5’s use Dexron III. The NWC T5’s (before 1985) use Dexron II.

Modern Driveline is one of the more knowledgeable Tremec dealers around.
 
F

FoxChasis

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 23, 2003
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Mar 10, 2026
#5
  • Mar 10, 2026
  • #5
All T5s in Fords, NWC and WC alike, originally used Dexron II. I have Ford service manuals from 1983 and 1984 that specify Dexron II for 1983 and Dexron II D for 1984. Dexron III/Mercon could not have possibly been used in Fox Mustang WC T5s as it wasn't released until 1993. Maybe 1993 T5 used Dex III? Doubt it though.

Modern Driveline at one time (before Dec 2010) said all NWC T5s used 70W gear oil, then after acknowledging 1984 original spec was Dexron II, said they and Tremec recommended 50W gear oil. (Tremec recommended 30W motor oil, not 50W gear oil. Why would Tremec recommend gear oil whan the original spec was ["thin" Dex II] ATF?)
 
Reactions: Sask84gt

Sask84gt

Member
Oct 13, 2024
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Canada
Mar 10, 2026
#6
  • Mar 10, 2026
  • #6
Sent a tech question to amsoil on what they would recommend for a NWC 1984 borg-warner t5. They said to use their signature series multi vehicle automatic transmission fluid. They say it meets the specs the manufacturer has stated for this this transmission. Good enough for me!
 
Reactions: General karthief and AeroCoupe
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