small-list-digest Friday, June 11 1999 Volume 03 : Number 144



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer, Bronco 2 and Aerostar
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In this issue:

FTE Small - Mercron V Tranny fluid
Re: FTE Small - Intro and Explorer V8 Q:
FTE Small - Re: Mercron V Tranny fluid
FTE Small - RE: Mercron V Tranny fluid
Re: FTE Small - RE: Mercron V Tranny fluid
RE: FTE Small - Re: Mercron V Tranny fluid
FTE Small - RE: A/C system oil charge
Re: FTE Small - '97 Explorer - 20,000 mile service - Help please
Re: FTE Small - A/C system oil charge

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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 13:48:39 -0500
From: "Herring, Bobby"
Subject: FTE Small - Mercron V Tranny fluid

I am re-sending this because I apparently haven't gotten the Small-list
address set up correctly and it keeps sending it in mime format. Hope this
one gets thru.
- -----------------
I also have the '97 Explorer. The fluid line that runs to the transmission
cooler in front of the radiator came loose. After I fixed it, I had to add
about 3/4 quart of fluid. All I could find was the Mercron III fluid. After
reading your answer about the fluid I am worried. Have I messed up the
transmission?
Thanks, Bobby

- -----Original Message-----
From: David Cooley [mailto:n5xmt bellsouth.net]

Hi Nick,
If it's the 5 speed automatic transmission, make sure whoever changes the
fluid uses nothing but MerconV fluid! anything else will destroy it in
short order (even Mercon IV!).
Take care,
Dave
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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 15:14:58 -0400
From: Chris Slaw
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Intro and Explorer V8 Q:

Ding060297 aol.com wrote:
>
> I did 3" pipes with a 3" dynomax muffler
> it sounds pretty mean its not to loud but sounds mean....

That 3" system must have fit very tight! I got a price from Summit on the
Dynomax kit for $199, but it has a dinky 2.25" tailpipe. What's the point?
Q: Is there any droning when you are cruising on the highway? I like to hear
my exhaust most of the time, but I can't stand that buzz/drone sound when
2000 rpm cruise - gets on my nerves!

> I've also added a
> k&n air filter but i have the cylinder style box and i've just removed the
> box and stuck the filter in the air tube...Its now open and definitly added a
> few pony's......

I have a K&N in each of my other vehicles. The one in my '90 Mustang GT has
been installed since new, and has been cleaned only 3 times in 60,000 miles.
Apparently I'll have to cross-reference the K&N panel filter to a different
model via dimensions, because the catalog doesn't list a panel filter for the
V8, only the conical version is on the shelf. If anyone else has a
cross-reference part number for the V8-sized panel filter, I'd be interested
in getting it.

> Other than that i've added a hyperchip and dropped the
> thermostat to 160 degees and it runs good sounds mean and looks nice.

I would be careful with that 160 stat -- the ecm won't go into closed-loop
operation until the ECT (coolant sensor) hits 181 degrees. If the engine never
reaches that temperature, it will stay in warmup mode, which not only burns
excess fuel, but also washes down the cylinder walls, causing premature piston
ring wear. My Explorer hasn't pinged yet on 89 octane fuel, so it must be the
added timing of the hypertech chip causing the detonation. It would really
behoove you to install at least a 180 stat to get your engine hot enough to
get into closed-loop operating mode. Even better, purchase a 180 or 192
high-flow stat like the Robert Shaw brand. That and I presume you are running
93 octane only, as specified by Hypertech? If you live in the cursed land of
oxygenated gas, you may be screwed no matter what grade you run.
Later.
- --
Chris Slaw
- --
'97 Explorer V8 17k
'93 626ES auto 49k
'90 MustangGT 5spd 60k
- --
"The ones whom you should try to get even with
are the ones who have helped you."
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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 15:09:11 -0400
From: David Cooley
Subject: FTE Small - Re: Mercron V Tranny fluid

At 01:48 PM 6/10/99 -0500, you wrote:

>I am re-sending this because I apparently haven't gotten the Small-list
>address set up correctly and it keeps sending it in mime format. Hope this
>one gets thru.
>
>-----------------
>I also have the '97 Explorer. The fluid line that runs to the transmission
>cooler in front of the radiator came loose. After I fixed it, I had to add
>about 3/4 quart of fluid. All I could find was the Mercron III fluid. After
>reading your answer about the fluid I am worried. Have I messed up the
>transmission?
>Thanks, Bobby

3/4 of a quart shouldn't hurt anything, but the fact that the line came
loose and fluid was lost etc, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to change it
and the filter anyway. Has anyone found a source of Mercon V except from
the dealer???
===========================================================
David Cooley N5XMT Internet: N5XMT bellsouth.net
Packet: N5XMT KQ4LO.#INT.NC.USA.NA T.A.P.R. Member #7068
We are Borg... Prepare to be assimilated!
===========================================================

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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 14:17:12 -0500
From: "Herring, Bobby"
Subject: FTE Small - RE: Mercron V Tranny fluid

Do I have to get the dealer to change the fluid or just drain what I can and
call that 'good enough'? Do these have the drain plug on the torque
converter?
It has about 52k miles on it.
Bobby
- -----Original Message-----
From: David Cooley [mailto:n5xmt bellsouth.net]
3/4 of a quart shouldn't hurt anything, but the fact that the line came
loose and fluid was lost etc, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to change it
and the filter anyway. Has anyone found a source of Mercon V except from
the dealer???
===========================================================
David Cooley N5XMT Internet: N5XMT bellsouth.net
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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 15:20:35 -0400
From: David Cooley
Subject: Re: FTE Small - RE: Mercron V Tranny fluid

At 02:17 PM 6/10/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Do I have to get the dealer to change the fluid or just drain what I can and
>call that 'good enough'? Do these have the drain plug on the torque
>converter?
>It has about 52k miles on it.

Hmm.. I hadn't looked to see if it had the drain plug... Mine just had the
trans pulled out... Rear output sensor failed making it shift weird and the
rear pinion seal was gone... Supposed to get it back tomorrow... (Driving a
Chevy Tahoe that SUCKS gas for a loaner!)
Usually I just drain what I can from the pan unless the fluid is badly
burnt... that and a filter should make it happy.
Also, not sure if you caught my post yesterday about plug wires... (Since
your at 53K now) My brother has replaced lots of Ignition modules/coilpacks
because the wires give up at about 60,000 miles... when they do, they fry
the coil/module assy and that's $300.00.
Later,
Dave

===========================================================
David Cooley N5XMT Internet: N5XMT bellsouth.net
Packet: N5XMT KQ4LO.#INT.NC.USA.NA T.A.P.R. Member #7068
We are Borg... Prepare to be assimilated!
===========================================================

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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 14:47:04 -0500
From: "Tony Rio (Chicago)"
Subject: RE: FTE Small - Re: Mercron V Tranny fluid

Dad just bought a 99 F150 extended cab. He likes to have "extras on the
shelf and the one Saturday after he bought the truck we spent all day
looking for Mercon V. Lots of III was to be found, but not a drop of V. We
finally found a dealer that had 3 quarts of it, so we got all they had. We
literally checked over 20 differnt part stores within the Chicago area, and
5 dealers before we finally found it.

I will caution that all the dealers, my Dad's buddy mechanic, and even the
auto parts guys said don't use the III when it calls for the V. I had used
III in my '94 F150 (and still use it in my 95 Explorer). and it worked
fine, but I'm a firm believer in if the manufacturer calls for it, that's
what you use (or an exact equivalant). IMHO $1500 to $2500 is way too much
for a tranny rebuild just because I thought I know better than those who
designed it.

I would have to agree that 3/4 of a quart shouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't
change out V for III entirely.

As a side note, we also called 2 or 3 of the local Lube-pro, Jiffy-Lube,
et... 15 minute oil change places, and they didn't have it either. They
said they just use the III across the board for the Ford trucks... Guess
where Dad won't be getting fluid changed!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-small-list ford-trucks.com
> [mailto:owner-small-list ford-trucks.com]On Behalf Of David Cooley
> Sent: Thursday, June 10, 1999 2:09 PM
> To: small-list ford-trucks.com
> Subject: FTE Small - Re: Mercron V Tranny fluid
>
>
> At 01:48 PM 6/10/99 -0500, you wrote:
>
> >I am re-sending this because I apparently haven't gotten the Small-list
> >address set up correctly and it keeps sending it in mime format.
> Hope this
> >one gets thru.
> >
> >-----------------
> >I also have the '97 Explorer. The fluid line that runs to the
> transmission
> >cooler in front of the radiator came loose. After I fixed it, I
> had to add
> >about 3/4 quart of fluid. All I could find was the Mercron III
> fluid. After
> >reading your answer about the fluid I am worried. Have I messed up the
> >transmission?
> >Thanks, Bobby
>
> 3/4 of a quart shouldn't hurt anything, but the fact that the line came
> loose and fluid was lost etc, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to
> change it
> and the filter anyway. Has anyone found a source of Mercon V except from
> the dealer???
> ===========================================================
> David Cooley N5XMT Internet: N5XMT bellsouth.net
> Packet: N5XMT KQ4LO.#INT.NC.USA.NA T.A.P.R. Member #7068
> We are Borg... Prepare to be assimilated!
> ===========================================================
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

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Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 17:55:53 -0400
From: Harry Trafford
Subject: FTE Small - RE: A/C system oil charge

Neal,
You didn't say what year, but.......
*> -----Original Message-----
*> From: Neal Armstrong
snippage
*>
*> When replacing the Liquid Line, Discharge Line and Suction Line A/C
*> components, how does one determine how much R-12 oil to
*> replace in the system?

None for these components.

*> accumulator/dryer (

Drain oil through schrader valve at the pressure cycling switch.
Carefully measure that amount, then add the same amount,
plus one ounce, to the new accumulator.

*> Also, what is the preferred method of re-introducing
*> the oil back into the system?

Same way you drained it out of the old one.

*> Finally, even if the compressor and condenser are _not_
*> being replaced,
*> should they be purged of old oil and replenished and if so,
*> what is the
*> preferred method of performing these operations?

If it makes you feel better AND there's a lot of mileage on the old oil.
This is for the FX-15 compressor (FS-10, too):
Drain the oil thru the drain plug and carefully measure the amount. If the
amount is less than 3 oz, put 3 oz into the compressor. If it's between 3 to 5
oz, put the same amount back in. If it's more than 5 oz, put 5 oz into the
compressor. This will maintain the system charge within the 8 oz. limit. Add
oil thru the suction port on the compressor after removing 2 securing bolts.
NOTE: Use only Motocraft refrig. oil YN-9 (part #E73Z-19577-A) or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford spec. ESH-M2C31 in this compressor. (There's a
good reason for this, but I can't find the page now, something about it being
paraffin based.)

If replacing the condenser, add 1 oz.
*** Specs. from the "Automotive Air Conditioning Service Training Manual".
Hope that helps a little.
Harry
'90 B2

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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 00:03:39 -0400
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - '97 Explorer - 20,000 mile service - Help please

Nick G Moulsdale wrote:
>
> I have a '97 Explorer which is due its 20,000 mile service. I have a
> choice of shops to send it to here in UK, a Ford Shop and an
> independent. If I use the independent I get to specify any jobs I
> want (and can afford). Or I could do it myself, I've got the
> Chiltons, but that doesn't really tell you if its difficult (the
> words "remove" figure largely in the text!!)

What exactly is specified for the 20K service? As I recall it's the
30Ks that have some real content while the others are change oil and
lots of little horse crap things like lubing hinges etc. I'm sure you
would be better off in price with an indie shop but make sure all the
little things get done also. If you DIY that's fine also and feel free
to mail/post with any questions about 'removal'. A little harder to
prove it was done in the event of a warranty claim later, but save your
receipts and note the mileage and what you did for future records. (If
nothing else it might help on resale value!)

Tim
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 00:14:30 -0400
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - A/C system oil charge

Neal Armstrong wrote:

Check http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.aircondition.com for more opinions but here's my 2
cents

>
> When replacing the Liquid Line, Discharge Line and Suction Line A/C
> components, how does one determine how much R-12 oil to replace in the
> system?

As far as hoses dont bother.

>
> In one Ford manual, they suggest drilling a hole in the old
> accumulator/dryer (replaced as
> a component of the suction line) and measuring the amount of oil in the
> unit and finally adding that amount back in. This seems like it would
> be only a partial replacement of
> the quantity lost.

Correct; probably should have read amount measured plus 2-3 Oz. to make
up for trapped oil.

>Also, what is the preferred method of re-introducing
> the oil back
> into the system?

Several.. I inject the oil after the system evacuation, but it would be
fine to just dump 2 Oz. of oil into the accumulator before installing
it.

>
> Finally, even if the compressor and condenser are _not_ being replaced,
> should they be purged of old oil and replenished and if so, what is the
> preferred method of performing these operations?....

---

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