Quick question..does it matter what power steering fluid?
 

Any particular brands or type I should be looking at? I need to do a flush because the idiot who owned the truck before me didn't have a cap on the PS bottle..

1 gallon?

I just buy the cheapest stuff myself. I think the whole system holds just a little over a quart-not sure but it's less than 2.

^ I seem to recall using about a quart or so to fill up my PS system when I replaced the steering box and pump. I would pick up a few quart bottles (Supertech from Walmart works fine, but Champion and Prestone are good too) and hang onto what's left over.

Do note that when you're filling it back up, the fluid level will likely go down some as air is bled out of the system.

A former Ford mechanic I know told me that some systems in this era were
designed to be used with Type F transmission fluid, nothing else. I suggest
using what the Owner's Manual (they're cheap on eBay) or perhaps the dipstick
calls for.

From the owners manual ...

"Use only a fluid that meets Ford Specification ESW-M2C33-F (Type F) or equivalent, such as Motorcraft Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid, Type F.

I agree. Use Type F, ATF.

The brand is at your discression, (IE: Walmart etc) but make sure it's Type F.

Interesting. I've used universal PS fluid (Champion, Prestone, Supertech....all of them say they will mix with factory-spec fluids) for several years without a problem....do I need to flush my system out and put in Type F specifically?

This is something that occurred to me as well. The owners manual is referring to the fluids available 20+ years ago. I doubt there would be a problem with the universal PS fluids of today, I haven't ran into any anyway.
The trans-axles in some Fords is a different story. There are certain formulations in certain years that you want to avoid.

I have used dextron ATF with no problems, but one night(dark in middle of woods) I grabbed a 20w50 engine oil quart by accident..... blew the HP line off! Replaced the HP line and flushed the PS system out and no problems after.

I would only really worry about it if the PS pump Hoses and seals are original and if you have a mixture of different type fluids mixing around inside the system. Different types of fluids don't mix very well, no matter what they say on the bottle. Just like italian salad dressing, they will tend to seperate in layers untill it's "shaken up", so to speak.

If the parts have been replaced and you used the Universal stuff from the begining, then I wouldn't worry to much about it.

I've found it's cheaper ($$$) using Type F though. I can buy a quart of Type F for about the same price a pint of Universal PS fluid costs.

And nearly 100% of the people building motors have found that by using Forged rods pistons and cranks, they expirenced less failures than when they used lesser components.
The real question here is- does Ford F-trans fluid and power steering fluid really offer an advatage over the generic fluids on the shelf today????
And the answer is.............................................NO! !!!!
All I am going to ask now is ... Produce one consumer with a failure that can be verified to be directly related to the use of an aftermarket PS fluid.
Crap- I forgot to add... It really doesn't make one thousandth of a bit of difference. So don't take this too seriously.

This summer I replaced the steering box, pump and pretty much all the lines except for the metal one down on the frame, so it's running pretty much straight universal PS fluid. I guess I'm okay then.

I never had any trouble with the universal stuff when I was running it mixed with whatever else was in the system prior to replacing the box and pump.

@doug: I think it's not so much a matter of brand names, but just that the fluid used meets the requirements of the system it's being used in. I've used generic trans fluid in my truck for years and I've had no trouble with it...I just made sure to get the right type.

I agree. as long as the classifications are right for the application, or it isn't a mixture of two different specifications, it should be fine.

I have a bottle of "Super Tech" Type F, and "Coastal" Type F on my shelf right now. But both are Type F, ATF. Same identical fluid etc...

As for the other thing, mixing different type classifications of fluids together can cause damage. Either by seperating in fluid layers and churning, simular to Italian salad dressing scenerio, like I mentioned earlier, or by becoming caustic by the two mixing together to create a third hybrid fluid.

Simular to the idea of mixing chlorine bleach and vinegar together, or oil and water, or two seperate types of grease. Not a good thing.

Either use one or the other etc... I still recommend Type-F though.