fordomatic fluid
- Thread starter Brian54
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Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
This should answer the question:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299959&highlight=transmission+gasket
51-54 = 9 to 9 3/4 qts
55 - 10 1/4 qts
55 Turbo Drive = 10 qts.
When I changed my fluid on my 53' Mer-O-Matic I got approx 2 cups out of the converter. The car sat over night, so if you are doing it hot you might get more. I do recommend, doing it cold, as it is very messy and the hot fluid is not fun to deal with, but that is your choice.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299959&highlight=transmission+gasket
51-54 = 9 to 9 3/4 qts
55 - 10 1/4 qts
55 Turbo Drive = 10 qts.
When I changed my fluid on my 53' Mer-O-Matic I got approx 2 cups out of the converter. The car sat over night, so if you are doing it hot you might get more. I do recommend, doing it cold, as it is very messy and the hot fluid is not fun to deal with, but that is your choice.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
The '56 Ford-o-matic shop manual says 5 quarts. But I found another source that says 19 pints. That is equivalent to about 4-3/4 quarts, right? Use Mercon fluid).
I am more comfortable with 4-3/4 quarts, since this raises the level of fluid right at the center between the marks on the dipstick. Keeping the fluid level here, I have never had any fluid blowing out or blowing seals and the transmission operates properly.
Check fluid level by running engine at idle with gear select level in neutral and fill to in-between the markings on the dipstick.
If you have completely drained fluid and are filling it from dry, idle the engine with foot on the brake and run through all gears first P-R-N-D-L, then shift back into neutral to check fluid level at the dipstick.
I am more comfortable with 4-3/4 quarts, since this raises the level of fluid right at the center between the marks on the dipstick. Keeping the fluid level here, I have never had any fluid blowing out or blowing seals and the transmission operates properly.
Check fluid level by running engine at idle with gear select level in neutral and fill to in-between the markings on the dipstick.
If you have completely drained fluid and are filling it from dry, idle the engine with foot on the brake and run through all gears first P-R-N-D-L, then shift back into neutral to check fluid level at the dipstick.
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Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
GLAmes
Senior Member
19 pints is 9 1/2 qts.
For the OP, I found Type A at NAPA. That is the flavor of ATF called for in the service manual. I started out with a full case. Because I also used some in the power steering and some was lost I can't tell you how many qts it took to fill my transmission. I kept adding a bit at a time after the initial 8 qts until it was at the proper level.
Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
I had an issue at O'Reillys, when I bought Type F. It was all out dated. I had to go to NAPA (two stores) to get two cases (6 each).
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299906&highlight=transmission+fluid&page=10
Post #182
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GLAmes
Senior Member
That's an interesting read considering other sources say oils and fluids have no expiration. And how does that jive with my wife's last minivan, a Toyota, her current mini van, a Chrysler both of which have no fill port (dipstick) and no manufacture's service interval? My 2019 Ram also doesn't have a service requirement for the transmission fluid. It does not have a dipstick either, thus no fill port.
Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
Sounds like the manufactures version of planed obsolescence.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Oil and hydraulic fluid becomes contaminated by metal wear of moving parts and in the case of oil, un-burned fuel and carbon adds to the contamination.
It is no surprise that some transmissions might not have a dipstick or fill port. They require you to take the car to a shop so they can charge you $1000 to vacuum out the fluid and refill it.
The modern hydraulic fluids for use with automatic transmissions have been changing a lot and have different characteristics to fulfill the mfr's specifications of the trans mfr. They may not want you to buy the wrong fluid at the auto parts store which might not perform to the requirements of your transmission.
I am sure that your owners manual does include a variety of scheduled services for different components of your vehicle which they recommend be performed at the dealer for a premium $$$.
My 2007 Ford F150 pickup with AOD does have both a dipstick and fill port and does tell the exact type of transmission fluid to use (Mercon V).
Interestingly enough, when the truck had been run 50K miles, I started having trouble with the transmission. I took it to the shop, thinking it was something major. All it needed was a fluid change and it was good as new.
I was astonished. I have been driving my '55 Ford Fairlane with Fordomatic daily and haven't changed the fluid (Dextron/Mercon) for 20 years and never had a problem. That's well over 200K miles.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
If you do find type A ATF nowadays, it is not the same blend as the original type A which used whale oil as it's lubricating property. Yes you can sometimes find it in farm supply stores too.
I would recommend that before buying, you compare the ingredients with the specifications of the original blend if you can find them on the internet.
I would recommend that before buying, you compare the ingredients with the specifications of the original blend if you can find them on the internet.
GLAmes
Senior Member
I send my engine oil samples from my work truck ('97 Dodge/Cummins) to a lab for analysis every 15,000 miles. If it is not high with contaminates (wear metals, silicon, soot, fuel or water) I don't drain it. The current oil is at 34,000 miles. I also sample gear box oil, but not nearly as frequently. The owners manual for it specifies 48 months or 48,000 miles for automatic transmission drain and adjustment. Thankfully I have a manual transmission in it. It also specifies 3000 mile engine oil changes. That is a throwback to the 50s when oil was in bottles next to the gas pumps and of poor quality. Technology improved the oil but hasn't changed people's perception that it has to be drained long before it is actually unserviceable. The oil companies are happy to prolong the myth that oil "wears out" when it fact it never wears out. Contaminates are what makes oil unusable and proper filtration captures those contaminates. Using bypass filtration there are 18 wheelers that go over 300,000 miles between oil drains.
As I stated the owners manuals of the minivans or my 2019 Ram do not show any service criteria for the transmissions. Perhaps it is planned obsolescence, or perhaps the filtration and quality of current transmission fluids has made scheduled drains obsolete. I guess I'll find out because I keep vehicles until the wheels fall off. My '97 Dodge has 1.4 million on it, I customized my '67 Chev 30 years ago and still have it and I believe the computers in the Ram will fail long before the transmission does. The '67 has a turbo 350 in it that hasn't had an oil and filter change in 20 years.
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GLAmes
Senior Member
Also, I apologize if I come off as contrary or argumentative. I have always questioned "why". Some things just don't make sense. How does a bottle of oil on a shelf lose it's properties? Why, in the 60 years I've been driving and turning wrenches, haven't I ever heard of oil or transmission fluid being out of date? I know why filters can go out of date so I don't buy them in bulk like I do oil. Puzzling.
Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
I have been amazed, on what I have learned, just changing the transmission fluid on my 53' Merc. This hasn't been the first time either and doubt it will be the last!
"If it doesn't make sense to you ask until it does."
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Personally, I'm very carefull about types of anti-freeze to use, especially as far as mixing with the factory installed type.
My 2007 F150 says NOT to mix with other types. They may be saying that just so you'll buy their Motorcraft brand. But when I went looking at the chain auto parts store, they had both the proper type Motorcraft brand ATF and anti-freeze on the shelf, so it made my decision easy.
I'm still opposed to using type F fluid in my Fordomatic. I never heard it being recommended for Fordomatics by any transmission shop or other technical source, and heard too many complaints about hard shifting.
Yes, I hate having to use different type of fluids, but at least I have two cars that use the same and have zillions of interchangeable parts.
KULTULZ
Well-known member
NOTE -
Mid-1956 production saw the intro of the coolant cooled V8 trans so the refill amounts should be different for an air-cooled vs coolant cooled transmission.
Note PRINT DATE (QTR) of 1956 OWNERS MANUAL.
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Gene F
Well-known member
Is this the stuff you got at NAPA? It's called TYPE-FA These are the recomendations on the website. They have the TypeF of course. They do have another one that is A-Type (full synthetic) and it says it is not recomended for type F style transmissions. It's made by Lucas.
So what did they sell you?
By the way, the "buyers guide" on the NAPA website list all kinds of applications for the use of FA. It lists Fairlane 500 1957 - 1970. My car is a 1957.
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NAPA Type F is a transmission fluid specifically engineered to protect and prolong the life of automatic transmissions. It is designed for use where Ford specifications M2C33-F, M2C33-G and Ford Type F fluids are recommended. Other applications include air compressors, general purpose hydraulics and power steering system.
Provides excellent resistance against clutch slippage for extended transmission life
Provides excellent resistance to fluid oxidation/breakdown at high temperatures
Approved for 1980 and earlier Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles
Approved for use in Mazda, Saab, Toyota, Volvo and other Japanese and European vehicles requiring a Type F fluid
So what did they sell you?
By the way, the "buyers guide" on the NAPA website list all kinds of applications for the use of FA. It lists Fairlane 500 1957 - 1970. My car is a 1957.
*******************
NAPA Type F is a transmission fluid specifically engineered to protect and prolong the life of automatic transmissions. It is designed for use where Ford specifications M2C33-F, M2C33-G and Ford Type F fluids are recommended. Other applications include air compressors, general purpose hydraulics and power steering system.
Provides excellent resistance against clutch slippage for extended transmission life
Provides excellent resistance to fluid oxidation/breakdown at high temperatures
Approved for 1980 and earlier Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles
Approved for use in Mazda, Saab, Toyota, Volvo and other Japanese and European vehicles requiring a Type F fluid
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I just use the type F and green antifreeze in my pre 80's cars. Ford already has changed the color and content of coolant twice in my 2012 and 2005, orange, pink, gold. What did they do, hire someone from Sherwin Williams?