Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Drivetrain Tech => Topic started by: cougarXLS on September 19, 2008, 06:14:22 PM

Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 19, 2008, 06:14:22 PM
Hello all,

      Long live liquids :mad:

      I always thought that the AOD tranny in 87 and 88 used the Ford Type F transmission fluid.  Am I right or wrong?

      The Haynes DIY indicates for C3, AOD, A4LD trannys for 83-87 to use Dexron II, while the 88 C3, AOD, A4LD tranny's use Mercon.

      Bottom line question... what type of tranny fluid should I use in my stock 1988 Cougar XR7, AOD (20 yrs old, and still shifting great)?  Type F (part no. XT-1-QF), Dexron II (part no. XT-2-QDX) or Mercon (part no. AT-2-QDX), or even something else?
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: dominator on September 19, 2008, 08:14:07 PM
mercon/dexron III
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 19, 2008, 10:57:30 PM
What is the difference between Dexron III and II?
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: daminc on September 19, 2008, 11:27:50 PM
I

Sorry, I Thought it was a math question
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 19, 2008, 11:56:53 PM
I've used nothing but "F" in my SC AOD since I installed it back in '99... It's lived through close to 700 drag strip passes... I switched to "F" in '93 Grand Marquis AODE in '98 when it started slipping on the 1-2 shift at 33K mi... With the help of a B&M electronic shift improver, it lasted till last year with 131K on the clock... Failure then was the front pump to housing gasket...
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: mcb82gt on September 20, 2008, 12:17:30 AM
Im no expert, but Type F, was sure as hell not called for in these AOD's.

I will use Mercon IV or whatever it is, when I change mine.  Maybe its Mercon V, I dunno.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 20, 2008, 07:42:34 AM
Quote from: mcb82gt;236771
Im no expert, but Type F, was sure as hell not called for in these AOD's.

Obviously...

"F" isn't as greasy as the Dextron/Mercon fluids and gives a firmer shift(most of the GM racers use it in their trans as well) ... Doesn't have the durability, so in a street application it should be changed at about 20K mi...

Quote from: mcb82gt;236771
I will use Mercon IV or whatever it is, when I change mine.  Maybe its Mercon V, I dunno.

You should not use Mercron V in the older transmissions, as there is a said comparability issue with some of the seals... Whether it's a real problem, I honestly don't know...
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 20, 2008, 01:01:27 PM
So, bottom line, I should use Dexron III?

What's the difference between Dexron II and III?  The Haynes manual calls for DexII, not III.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: daminc on September 20, 2008, 05:16:47 PM
personally, I've only used what was stamped on the dipstick for my cougar.
but I do remember using type F in my 88 E-250 with aod.
never had any problems with it.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: Sick88Tbird on September 20, 2008, 09:17:05 PM
Quote from: cougarXLS;236790
So, bottom line, I should use Dexron III?

What's the difference between Dexron II and III?  The Haynes manual calls for DexII, not III.


Dexron III supercedes II...simplest answer.  Have fun.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 21, 2008, 01:07:52 PM
Okay.

Anyway, I've done some pretty silly, stupid things in my life.  But this one's a topper:  thanks daminc.  I merely gazed at the tranny dipstick: Mercon.  LOL, all these years thinking it was Type F.

So my next question, for curiosity's sake, is what's the difference between Dexron and Mercon?
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on September 21, 2008, 03:04:14 PM
Quote from: cougarXLS;236859
what's the difference between Dexron and Mercon?


GM markets one Ford the other... AFIK no difference...
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 21, 2008, 05:14:27 PM
So I should just walk in to my local parts store (in my case, NAPA) and ask for Mercon Transmission Fluid for an 88 Cougar and they'll hand me the *whatever equivalent* for Mercon?

This is obviously a new area for me, as I've been using Type F forever.  LOL, I wonder if that's why I've had so many tranny problems over the years.............
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 21, 2008, 05:15:44 PM
, after reviewing this post: I have ALOT to learn.  LOL


.............. duh.  Read the dipstick stupid.

Lol, just thought I'd beat anyone to the punch.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: softtouch on September 21, 2008, 07:21:23 PM
Read the Mercon III bottle, it should tell what all it replaces.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: irv on September 23, 2008, 03:31:04 PM
pennzoil has a multi vehicle atf. good for everything from
from dexron 2 through mercon 5. not for type F.
good for ford and gm and some chryslers. cant be used
as mercon 6 which i believe is a full synthetic..
m-v atf is a semi synthetic. even has an allison
and cat trans rating. i have it in all my vehicle plus
an additive. have never had a trans problem.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: softtouch on September 23, 2008, 05:44:59 PM
I have the original type H fluid that came in my 84 C5 trans and have never had any problems.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 25, 2008, 01:26:11 PM
If the Haynes book is accurate, and it looks like it's turning out to be, Type H is used in the manual trannys, not the autos.
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: softtouch on September 25, 2008, 03:18:47 PM
Quote from: cougarXLS;237274
If the Haynes book is accurate, and it looks like it's turning out to be, Type H is used in the manual trannys, not the autos.


I was just pointing out that my 84 T-bird ,that I bought new, has never had the transmission fluid changed. The C3 and AOD came with Dexron II. The C5 (three speed automatic) came with Type H.

The shop manual says: Fluid used with C5 automatic transmission contains a detergent that retains particles in suspension that are gererated during normal transmission use.

Type H is no longer available. Don't know if it was used in any manuals. In 84 the T5 used Dexron II Series D (whatever that is).
Title: Friggin Frusterating Fluids
Post by: cougarXLS on September 26, 2008, 11:31:26 AM
Learn something new everyday.  Thanks softtouch.

Now, because I already learned something new today, does this mean I still have to go to class?  :hick:

lol