Hi,  I am in the process of getting my Mercomatic rebuilt and was wondering about the best transmission fluid to use.  I started out in the old tranny with dextron and it seemed to be OK, but someone told me it should be type F, so I changed it to this and it started blowing by the seals and low and behold, starting slipping bad until warmed up for 5 min.  The transmission had not been rebuilt before but I had it on the bench and cleaned it, etc, and made the mistake of not having it rebuilt.  I want to be sure of the fluid so please offer your info.  Thanks

     

All the TBird places recommend Dexron III

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

You could try a trans fluid recomended for GM transmissions . This may sound a bit crazy ,but there is a slight difference in the additives between Ford & GM formulars.From memory all ATF oils are about 95 % vegetable oil .I used to make ATF / engine oils years ago when I worked for Esso /Exxon .See if you can get some advice from a transmission specialist ,rather than a transmission shop who just wants to make a quick buck on  rebuilding yours ??

Regards Lon

yblocksdownunder

I'd stay with the Dexron III Mercon since your using the original transmisson.

-Gary Burnette-

Gary is right, Dextron III/Mercon is the modern replacement for Type F that was orginally specified by Ford. I am not sure if Type F is still available, if so I haven't been able to find it. 

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Type F is still available in a lot of places - NAPA should have it as well as the other chains. I think even Wal Mart has it. That said, the Dexron III is still the recommended replacement. I still use Type F for my early C4, but Dexron III for my Fordo's

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Type F will give the best solid shift type III is made to shift nice and easy the tranny will last longer with Type F. In the old days B&M had their special tranny oil but said that Type F would also work.