Hey all, first post. I recently bought a 1996 E350 Clubwagon to tow my
racecar.

I am SO nervy about automagic transmissions - I don't like them, I don't trust them, I don't want to fix one (although I'm guessing I'll have to at some point), but I want to take care of the one I've got.

Wound up with an E4OD in my 96. 351 engine, 77000 miles, good shape,
no big leaks, although the tranny pan is leaking a smidge. Wet, not dripping.

I did a search on E4OD, found a fair number of "it sucks!" posts. Sigh. That said, one can find anything on the Internet, so who really knows. I know this guy who tows his Fiat all over everywhere with a Ford van (he's the reason I bought one, certainly trust his judgement), but I'm wondering what I should do beyond changing the fluid/filter, possibly adding a cooler, in an effort to prolong the tranny's life.

It shifts well, does not skip out of gear or do anything odd, no shuddering,
shrug, it feels fine, really. I can make it downshift, I can make it hold a gear with the gas pedal, the OD button on the shifter acts as expected - I don't think there are any current problems.

What fluid should I use? Our local BG guy swears up and down that their
ATF is the WAY - thoughts?

Clubwagon/Steve seems to have some good insight.

Any help is appreciated!



Iain Mannix

 

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Good old mercon is what you need to run, chances are the van already has a trannny cooler on it. By 1996 they had many of the bugs worked out, and the E4OD is a reliable transmission. I had one in a '92 that was rebuild in '97 that I put 70k+ miles on and only ever changed the fluid in once... It shifted fine even when I sold it. That said, We also towed some pretty big loads with it too. Like anything maintenence is the key.

 

Excellent, thanks. I've been reading pretty much nonstop since my post - found lots of good information. It does have a tranny cooler, or, there is a cooler thing on the driver's side grille - guessing it is a cooler (not followed the lines, but that seems to be it).

I think my thermostat is stuck open, seems to be a common issue. Going to replace the ball joints and thrust arm bushings, should be OK after that.

Thanks! Appreciate it.


Iain