My 93 F150 4.9L 5SP has a singing tranny. Only sings in the "odd" gears. I can drown it out with the radio, but I'd rather not. I can minimize the singing by centering the shifter slightly from its resting position. I've been told that "all Ford 5 speed manual trannys do this" or "put in a can of slickshift" or some other additive. Could it be that there is something that should be holding the shifter in a non-contact position or does this sound like (pardon the pun) like something inside needs attention?
Joe

 

mine never did that, i had a 88 f150 4.9, 4 speed granny and i never heard it sing. its taks 3.5 quarts if im remember correctly. i put lucas heavy duty gear oil in mine and never had a problem out of it

 

I've had two of the Mazda 5 speeds and both were quiet. The recommended lube is ATF in these tranmissions.
regards
rikard

 

I'm running ATF in it now and have been since first changing it after I bought it. Underwaterboy82 ran Lucas heavy duty gear oil in his 88, but that may have been different technology gearbox. I'll try a fluid change and maybe put in some Lucas or Slickshift as a local mechanic suggested. He's the one who said they all sing.
Thanks!
Joe

 

lucas is my choice.