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75-85 ftlbs. Loctite can be used if you would like, is not required.
Thank you Dave, I appreciate that.
Update: Motor is in, transmission is in, driveline, exhaust, and starter are in. Really not that much left to do now before the first start up.
Question about fluid recommendations for a 1986 460 with C6 transmission:
- Power steering fluid?
- ATF?
- Anti-freeze… regular green stuff or something more modern considering the aluminum heads and intake?
- Target RPM and duration for the initial start up and cam break in?
Will all the fluid choices available these days, any suggestions you have will be appreciated.
Long thread, but worth a read. After learning my lesson with the first engine, I used a special break-in oil from Comp Cams for the replacement. I then switched to Valvoline VR1, advertised as specifically formulated for flat tappet cams. Been fine ever since.
Supposedly modern low zinc oil is okay once the cam is broken in, but after my experience, I did not want to take any chances.
Power steering fluid-just use something off the shelf for power steering. Any of them will work.
ATF-This should be a 80's-up transmission, so use Dexron III or if you want to use a semi-synthetic, use Dexron VI. The early 70's transmissions used Type F fluid.
Anti-freeze-regular green. Mix it 50-50 with water if you buy the concentrate.
On the target rpm they say 2000. But if you are like me, there are a million things happening when you first start the engine, so you can try, but you may not make it. Should not be the end of the world. Hopefully we have worked through all those faulty camshafts they have been selling the past few years.
Question about fluid recommendations for a 1986 460 with C6 transmission:
- Power steering fluid?
- ATF?
- Anti-freeze… regular green stuff or something more modern considering the aluminum heads and intake?
- Target RPM and duration for the initial start up and cam break in?
Will all the fluid choices available these days, any suggestions you have will be appreciated.
I definitely wouldn’t use p/s fluid or antifreeze in the transmission.
If the question was what fluids to use in the different systems then Ford used Type F in the power steering, MERCON ( replaced by MERCON V) in the transmission and regulator green anti-freeze in my ‘87 Bronco and ‘89 F-150.
I was going to say ATF for the P/S is what I used in my truck and even in my 07 Ford Crown Vic.
The only thing I can remember using P/S fluid in was my 86 K5 Blazer with a 6.2 diesel.
Because of the diesel it had hydro boost power brakes, used the P/S pump to boost braking power.
I had the seal go bad and dump P/S fluid inside the truck. Ever try and get 3 qt of P/S fluid out of carpet
Green coolant in the radiator with a 50/50 mix
Dave ----
Don't let people confuse you, Dexron III and Mercon are the same thing, you can find this out on the bottle of oil. Dexron VI and Mercon LV are interchangeable also.
What is confusing? The original fluid was MERCON. There was a TSB many years ago when Ford phased out MERCON and replaced it with MERCON V.
Because I said Dexron III, you said Mercon. Well, which one is it? Come to find out, they are the same thing. Most of the oil bottles say "DEX/MERC" on the bottle. I guess I should have included Mercon in my post, but I just never considered it, I have always used Dexron III or Dexron VI.
Last edited by Franklin2; Mar 13, 2026 at 06:06 AM.
Because I said Dexron III, you said Mercon. Well, which one is it? Come to find out, they are the same thing. Most of the oil bottles say "DEX/MERC" on the bottle. I guess I should have included Mercon in my post, but I just never considered it, I have always used Dexron III or Dexron VI.
My ‘87 owner’s manual shows Dexron II as the fluid for an AOD and Motorcraft Type H (replaced by MERCON) as the recommended fluid for the C6. It’s true that you will find multi purpose ATF labeled Dexron III/ MERCON but Ford has not made MERCON in many years.
and from the same thread
Go to the Ford dealership and ask for Dexron VI as an example. I’d be willing to bet that won’t have it but will have MERCON products. Are they really the same or is that what some formulation another manufacturer has mixed together and says is ok to use? If you’re ok with using whatever that Dexron III/ MERCON formula is on the shelf that’s fine and the “confusion” is solved. Use the multipurpose stuff and move on to something else.
Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Mar 13, 2026 at 11:08 AM.
- As I recall, you don’t want to use tape or thread sealer on the temp sender. Is this correct?
- Brake booster vacuum line. Do I need special vacuum hose or can I just use fuel or transmission hose?
- PCV to carb hose. Transmission hose okay for that?
- Spark plugs and anti-seize? I’ve seen options run both ways. Not gobs, just a whiff? Opinions please.
Meanwhile, not all t-stats are equal. in a race between two new ones and the old one, there was one clear winner. One of the new ones opened quickly and fully. The other one, very slow to open and only opened about half way.
- As I recall, you don’t want to use tape or thread sealer on the temp sender. Is this correct?
- Brake booster vacuum line. Do I need special vacuum hose or can I just use fuel or transmission hose?
- PCV to carb hose. Transmission hose okay for that?
- Spark plugs and anti-seize? I’ve seen options run both ways. Not gobs, just a whiff? Opinions please.
Meanwhile, not all t-stats are equal. in a race between two new ones and the old one, there was one clear winner. One of the new ones opened quickly and fully. The other one, very slow to open and only opened about half way.
If you use teflon tape just use say two wraps, you don't need a lot. It's brass, which is soft,
The counter person at the auto parts store should know, tell them exactly what you want it for.
That should be oil resistant hose
I use a samll dabof anti-seize, all lower the troque value, if you troque them. I just go by feel. I think you know we say to use copper spark plugs.
Last edited by Max Capacity; Mar 15, 2026 at 01:38 PM.
