As I'm sure you remember I have installed a TH2004R behind my 405 that I just dropped in this week. I'm doing things one by one making sure it's all done right and I come up blank when it comes to how much fluid I need to put in the transmission before for the startup.

I have an external transmission fluid cooler mounted on the forward face of the radiator, so accounting for the cooler and lines...how many quarts of DexIII should I pour in?

I can 'guess' based on the level on the dipstick but that will change a lot once the pump fills the lines and cooler and even then I would only have the cold / off level.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I am going from a few year old memory, but I think it is almost identical to the 10 or so quarts to fill a 700.
This assumes empty converter, trans, trans lines, cooler and a stock pan.

Put 1 qt in the converter before you slip it in.
Put 4 qts in the trans.
Start, let idle for 20 seconds, and shut off.
Add 3 qts, then sneak up on the final fill.
When I get in the garage later today, I will check the book to see if I am correct.

Yeah I put one Qt in the converter when I installed it. The pan is dry, same for the lines and the cooler.

I certainly don't want to starve it on it's first startup.

11 quarts dry.

Thanks Art. Would you concur with Pete on his method?

I assumed fill to the cold line dry. After initial startup, check level, fill to cold line again assuming I shut it off to adjust idle before it gets warm. I'd imagine I'd have around 8 - 9 quarts on top of the one in the converter, leaving a final 2 - 3 quarts.

I always put as much as I can in the convertor usually a little over a quart. Then put as much as you can in the trans keeping track of what you put in then start it up. In your case with an initial start up with your engine you have a few things going on at once. It would be good if you have someone else help and let them monitor the trans fill while you do what you have to do.