Hi, I just bought a '64 Ford 100 with a smooth-shifting automatic transmission. The truck is all original and I would like to keep it that way. Any thoughts on what type trans fluid I should use? My '74 F100 takes the special Ford fluid that is temperature sensitive and my '67 Mercury is a 3-speed manual trans, so that is no help. I did not get an owner's manual with the truck. Any help would be welcome. Thanks, G. Marks

 

I use Type F in my 66. One of the stores in my area wanted to get rid of it so I bought a bunch which came in handy when I changed pan gasket and filter!

 

Thanks for the info on the ATF. I have some type F fluid already so will most likely use that.

 

All of the early Ford automatics used Type F ATF. Spurredon's post has a quite valid point: since Ford dropped F fluid in the late 70's for most transmissions, it has gone a bit by the wayside. If you can get a hold of a fair quantity of it at a good price, it may be wise to stock up.

 

Type F was the only fluid used in auto Ford trannys until recently. There is a new Mercron III that I have been told, can be used in stead of type F. Look on the dip stick, it will tell you what to use.

John

 

67 Merc

The "skinny" on ATF is about the heat generated by FoMoCo transmissions. That's why FoMoCo listed a specification requiring type "F" when they came out with A/Ts in 50s. Early Ford-O-Matics ran very hot. Like everybody has said Type F was listed ATF back in the day. Type F's no longer in production in the 21st century anymore since "Change Seems to be the Only Constant".

John mentioned "Mercron III" above. It is approved and reccomended as the replacement for the older type "F", ATF, today. Mercron III's high temp rated, above 66 FoMoCo SAE Spec's in fact, & it will not varnish, cook or change it's Ph either, same as the old "F" didn't, run at/ above avg Ford A/T op temps. It
may even be better for old "equipment" because it can run hotter & is newer technology & chemistry too.

FWIW. I run higher temp rated ATF in all A/Ts. That includes GM & MoPaR as well as a few Hydra Static Drives too. I run my Slick hard in 1/4 mi & have to deal with Central Florida's gridlock traffic sometimes too. I've experienced no ATF related problems using Mercron III Fluid in last few years.

While on ATF, I switched from ATF to #5 Hydraulic Oil in power steering. It's what "power steering fluid" selling for $3 & $4 a pint actually is. A gallon can be bought for a lot less than $3-$4 per pint if you've reason to use a lot of power steering fluid.

A word of caution here Honda Power Steering Uses it's own Special Fluid. . .!
It's not plain old #5 Hydraulic Fluid, so don't put #5 hydraulic oil in Honda P/S Systems.

FBp

 

Hey--Thanks for the replies to my posting re:ATF fluid. We still have some of the Type F available around here in Maryland where I live, but it's good to know I can use the Mercon III, too. I'll post some photos as soon as I figure out how to do that.

 

Here's the followup: can Dexton III and Type F be mixed? Conventional parts wisdom is that they can't be, but does anyone know for sure?

 

Well, while we're on this subject.... Believe this or not, but not all ATF is created equal!! There is a large variation on viscocity on the same type of ATF between the various brands.
Case in point... I rebuilt the C-6 in my '65 F250 C/S(yes, I know, it's not original, but is probably better). I used the cheapie type F from Pep Boys. Once on the road, the tranny would upshift almost immediately...it sucked. I spoke with an old timer tranny rebuilder who imformed me on the viscocity issue and told me to add 2 qts. of straight 30W motor oil, that's right MOTOR OIL. He said not one tranny leaves his shop without it, this includes the newest trannys. After cogitating his advice, I decided to try it. Unbelievable results! It shifts perfectly. Since then I've done that in my '97 Town Car which are prone to tranny issues, and it works perfectly as well. There will be many who doubt this, but it works.

 

do you need to drain 2 quarts out of the pan first? overfilling a transmission isn't good...