Transmission fluid question
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Elder User
Joined: May 2008
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Transmission fluid question
So pretty sure for the 74 F-100, correct fluid would have been Type F. But not knowing what previous owner had put in, is there any way to tell from the smell or look of the fluid that ran out? I need to put back about 4 quarts from changing out my modulator. If I would want to go back with Dexron, would that hurt, if Type F were already in there?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach, CA
Ford Trans Fluid in the 70s
Ford used Type F in automatics throughout the 60s to early 80s. Type F has a higher friction coefficient than Dexron, and my auto trans instructor used it in his GM transmissions in the 60s/70s for crisper shifting. Type F when new is a more vibrant red than Dexron.
If your fluid is not a nice red color and more brownish, you can drain the torque converter (there is a removeable plug) and then do a complete refill with new Type F. If you do this, upon refill, add 4 qts if a C6, 3 if a C4, start engine and continue adding until you are in the full range. Do not top off until the fluid is at normal operating temp. Over filling causes the fluid to aerate (foam up with air bubbles) which will mess up internal pressures and lubrication of components.
Mixing Type F and Dexron won't hurt anything from my experience.
If your fluid is not a nice red color and more brownish, you can drain the torque converter (there is a removeable plug) and then do a complete refill with new Type F. If you do this, upon refill, add 4 qts if a C6, 3 if a C4, start engine and continue adding until you are in the full range. Do not top off until the fluid is at normal operating temp. Over filling causes the fluid to aerate (foam up with air bubbles) which will mess up internal pressures and lubrication of components.
Mixing Type F and Dexron won't hurt anything from my experience.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach, CA
Type F
I have rebuilt many transmissions and in my 77 F250, 67 Country Squire and my newest 77 F250 I am using Type F.
I used Type F in my rebuilt Turbo 400 when I had a vista cruiser and it worked for thousands of miles no problem and the current owner has put even more on it.
Using either one will be fine. I like type F for the crisper shifts and the bright red color (easy to tell if there is fluid overheating taking place, as color changes to dark red/brown).
That is what has worked for me. Oh, and there are clutch plates (or discs) and seal rings in a transmission, not clutch rings.
I used Type F in my rebuilt Turbo 400 when I had a vista cruiser and it worked for thousands of miles no problem and the current owner has put even more on it.
Using either one will be fine. I like type F for the crisper shifts and the bright red color (easy to tell if there is fluid overheating taking place, as color changes to dark red/brown).
That is what has worked for me. Oh, and there are clutch plates (or discs) and seal rings in a transmission, not clutch rings.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 636
Likes: 5
From: down a red dirt road
the 74 c6 i had leaked quite a bit whenever it sat for more than two days, so i kept a gallon of dex/merc on hand and probably fed the thing two gallons last year. never ended up with any problems as long as it was full and not overfull either.
but if yours dont leak i would spent the extra few cents and put the type F back in it, i like the idea of draining the convertor too.
i know a great trans guy fairly well and he says it never hurts to supercede, he buys some kind of suzuki fluid and uses it in everything because its not only the best(?) but saves him from keeping several kinds on hand.
this is true, using a newer maybe synthetic fluid will protect better. so according to that using dex/merc is kind of a no no. dex doesnt have a friction modifier.
you can also use dex and add in a bottle of friction modder i forget the name of the stuff now. hyperlube or something like that comes in two kinds a black or red bottle.
but if yours dont leak i would spent the extra few cents and put the type F back in it, i like the idea of draining the convertor too.
i know a great trans guy fairly well and he says it never hurts to supercede, he buys some kind of suzuki fluid and uses it in everything because its not only the best(?) but saves him from keeping several kinds on hand.
this is true, using a newer maybe synthetic fluid will protect better. so according to that using dex/merc is kind of a no no. dex doesnt have a friction modifier.
you can also use dex and add in a bottle of friction modder i forget the name of the stuff now. hyperlube or something like that comes in two kinds a black or red bottle.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach, CA
Ford recommended Fluid Types
Hi,
Here is a link to the Ford/Motorcraft site and what they say about trans fluids.
Mike
Motorcraft® Transmission Fluids
Here is a link to the Ford/Motorcraft site and what they say about trans fluids.
Mike
Motorcraft® Transmission Fluids
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