I have a 77 F-150 4wd. It has a 400 C6/NP205 combo. The truck is 77, but the front end has 78 steering linkage and other parts that ford switched to in 78. The manual I have says type F for 77 and earlier, and dexron II fro 78 and later. My dipstick says esp-mac158 CJ-oil, d7tp-7ao2c-09. What gives. Do I use type F, or mercon/dexron III, or CJ oil and what is CJ oil? Thanx

 

Why can't I ever figure stuff out before I post, because as soon as I post I find an answer elsewhere. Found this out on the web,
"Dexron® III, sometime referred to as multi purpose ATF. This replaces the old Type A, Suffix A, which was recommended by GM, Chrysler and AMC between 1956-1967. It also supercedes Dexron® and Dexron ® II fluids. Ford vehicles 1977 and later with the C6 transmission or the Jatco transmission in the Granada and Monarch also use this fluid. Ford refers to this fluid as Mercon®, or on older models as type H or CJ where recommended.
Type F fluid is recommended by Ford Motor Co. and a few imported manufacturers, and contains certain frictional compounds required for proper operation in these transmissions."
My dipstick says CJ, so I guesse I should use mercon/dexron III atf? Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.Thanx

 

i would use the mercon or type f type f is a heavy duty trans fluid

 

Since mercon and type f ARE my two choices, I will probaly use one or the other. Thanx.

 

Type F has very different frictional qualities and does not interchange. Up to 1976, it was the standard for Ford automatics. Use Mercon. Type F is only "heavy duty" as far as racing applications go because it shifts very hard with no slippage in late transmissions.

Jim

 

My B&M shift kit said use type F, maybe thats why I'm not pleased with the firmness of the shifts. I would drain it out, but I didn't install a drain plug(another B&M recomendation) so it would be difficult to save the fluid. Also dropping some coin for another 3gals of ATF doen't appeal to me either. All in all I'm using the correct fluid type for my trannt but I'm not impressed with B&M's street/strip shift kit. Now I need a converter with less stall, now things are getting spendy.Thanx for ALL your replies!

 

B&M "Trick Shift" (non-synthetic) fluid is nothing but relabled type F at a higher price, and it says so in the fine print on the label.

Jim

 

I have herd that alot about trick shift. Makes me feal safer running straight type F in a mercon rated tranny. I have heard good stuff about atf +3 for dodges also. For now I'm sticking with my mercon/dexronIII with lucas trans fix added. I have some friends that run lucas in there imca cars and they swear by it, and I will take real life exp. over peoples theories any day.Thanx.