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By Nat Santamaria - 16 Years Ago
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Hi guys. I am new on the board.
I have a 57 Tbird with a 312 and a Fordomatic transmission. The transmission pan gasket is leaking and I would like to replace it. It is currently running TYPE F and it runs great. I have read that sometimes a fluid change will cause the transmission to start slipping. The fluid looks healthy- nice red colour, no burnt smell or dirty. I believe the tranny was rebuilt in 1992 as part of a high quality restoration. Is draining the fluid and re-using it an option? Also the replacement gasket is now rubber as opposed to cork. Do I still need to use an adhesive on the pan side of the gasket or install it as is?
Thanks
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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I have never heard that one.If you change from "F" type to Dextron or anything besides "F" it may start to slip.Go ahead and drain and refill with fresh "F' fluid.If it hasn't been changed since 92 its due.Regards,Mark
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By bird55 - 16 Years Ago
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You should put fresh in. I think mercon III is what they use now? but anyway it's not hard to find the proper replacement fluid for it. And the new gasket is ok, too-just use sealer on the pan side.
Welcome!, by the way.
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By bird55 - 16 Years Ago
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I wanted to add that mine used to leak too, but it was always the front seal which is a "pull the tranny job" It wouldn't leak if I drove it regularly, but let it set and it would pour.
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By HT32BSX115 - 16 Years Ago
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I think mercon III is what they use now?
Don't do it.
Every manufacturer out there still recommends using Type F in a trans that calls for it.
http://www.finalube.com/Product_Data_Files/Fina_Branded_PDF_Files/ATF.pdf
http://www.hwpetro.com/_fileCabinet/TexacoData/Hav-ATF-MerconV.pdf
http://www.realhamradio.com/Pennzoil%20ATF%20MSDS.pdf
About the only substitute you might be able to use is John Deere HY-Gard but it will just about always be more expensive and won't be red which is what you want for trans fluid. (easier to detect what's leaking)
Just go to Wally World and buy any brand of Type F trans fluid to change it.
Regards,
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By marvsmerc - 16 Years Ago
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Welcome Nat, I had that leak that Bird 55 had, mostly when it sat, so I changed the fluid to dextron Or Mercon, can't really remember, but was recommended it along with some Lucas Transmission sealer. Worse thing I ever did, as the tranny started slipping so bad I had to wait 5 minutes just to get out of the driveway. Once I did would run all day without slipping. Anyhow, it lasted until fall until I could pull it & send it out to be rebuilt............. Anyhow, there might be so truth to what you heard. Good luck! Mike Preserve America Buy American
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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57 TBirds orginally came with Type A fluid. Type F came later, with the C-4's and C'6's I think, but may have been earlier. Most of the TBird suppliers recommend Dexron III as replacement for the Type A, but if Type F works for you then use it.
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By Daniel Jessup - 16 Years Ago
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I use type F in my 55 Club Sedan with Fordo, 292 Y with some umph!, and it has 0 slippage problems, even in extremely cold weather. She hooks up really good too.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Type "F" is the replacement for type"A'.My understanding is that the newer fliuds i.e Dextron etc were developed so that the transmission would shift smoother.In other words the fluid is "more slippery"(for want of a better description) making the shifts less noticeable when you are driving a gazzilion dollar new car.If you were to use "F" in a newer car the transmision would engage much more firmly.Just my 2-cents worth!
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By crenwelge - 16 Years Ago
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The 56 Shop manual still calls for Type A. I think it was a year or so after that when type F came out and was recommended for about 20 model years. I have been selling lubricants all my life and sold a type A up until very recently. I would only recommend it it for old clunkers that leaked a quart every day or so. I have been selling Fina for the past 45 years and they recommend type F. http://www.finalube.com/Product_Data_Files/Fina_Branded_PDF_Files/ATF.pdf
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By Nat Santamaria - 16 Years Ago
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Many thanks guys.
I was going to use the TYPE F anyways as it is working well. It was more the fear of the transmission slipping because of the fresh fluid.
I am glad I found this website. What a wealth of info.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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That interesting that type "A" was still available until recently.I spent 10 years on the Ford parts counter and type "A" was not available to us because type "F" was the replacement.Thanks for the info
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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oldcarmark (1/3/2009)
Type "F" is the replacement for type"A'.My understanding is that the newer fliuds i.e Dextron etc were developed so that the transmission would shift smoother.In other words the fluid is "more slippery"(for want of a better description) making the shifts less noticeable when you are driving a gazzilion dollar new car.If you were to use "F" in a newer car the transmision would engage much more firmly.Just my 2-cents worth!
I'm no expert and could be all wet, but I disagree that Type F is a Type A replacement. Due to changes in transmission materials over the years, Type F was introduced. The same goes for Mercron/Dexron and any other type they may use today. Apparently, Dexron III is similar to Type A based on the recommendations of the TBird guys.
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By crenwelge - 16 Years Ago
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I think type A is still available. I just quit selling it. http://www.lubline.com/download/automotive/pdf/SSATF_TypeA(Y).pdf
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By Ted - 16 Years Ago
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For what it’s worth, I use Type F in my racing GM Powerglide transmissions. Type F has less slippage than the recommended Dexron fluid and works good in this application. On the other hand, my ’68 Cougar with its C6 was using Dexron fluid as per the recommendation of the tranny shop that rebuilt it. That worked also fine and the shifts were firm. Input is needed from those of you who are using the FordOMatics with fluid other than Type F as to how long the fluid has been used and if any detriments to its use has been noted.
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By 56fairlanepost - 16 Years Ago
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In response to you request for more input,I did some work to my fordomatic back in march of 08 and replaced the torque convertor seals.at that time I did some research and it was recommended that I replaced the fluid with dextron III Been driving it ever since with no problems.I must admit that I was thinking of the c-4 converstion at that time ,but glad I stayed with the fordomatic.The car is way more fun to drive that way especially the torque you feel when pulling a hole shot.I mean this brings me back to the old days when it was actually fun to cruise.
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By ALANB - 16 Years Ago
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Before I retired from our beloved trade ? ... Every transmission rebuilder in the country used type "F"" simply because it had a higher boiling TEMP !!! ..... ALAN B .
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By rgrove - 16 Years Ago
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Ted (1/5/2009)
For what it’s worth, I use Type F in my racing GM Powerglide transmissions. Type F has less slippage than the recommended Dexron fluid and works good in this application. On the other hand, my ’68 Cougar with its C6 was using Dexron fluid as per the recommendation of the tranny shop that rebuilt it. That worked also fine and the shifts were firm.
Input is needed from those of you who are using the FordOMatics with fluid other than Type F as to how long the fluid has been used and if any detriments to its use has been noted.
Have about 15k miles on my fordo behind a warmed over 292. trans was rebuilt with the rest of the car, and been running on dextron per recommendations of trans & resto shops i talked to with zero problems (knock wood!)
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By PWH42 - 16 Years Ago
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The tranny in my car is a 55 that only has about 40,000 original miles on it.It's never been apart.I put Dextron III in it about 15,000 miles ago.It performs flawlessly so far.Under full throttle 1-2 shift it'll bark the radials.
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