tranny fluid - Ford-O-Matic


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By f-fun2 - 14 Years Ago
Hey guys, getting ready to change filter and tranny fluid for the first time in my 57 pickup since I bought it. It is a Ford-O-Matic trans. What fluid should I be using for this transmission? Is regular Type F OK? Thanks. 
By crenwelge - 14 Years Ago
Type F was especially made for that vintage of Fordo.
By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
Actually Dexron 3 is the replacement for Type  "A".There are several topics on this if you do a search in the little box at top right of home page.
By paul2748 - 14 Years Ago
oldcarmark is correct. Type F came later (C-4 & C-6???) . Original is Type A, hard to find if it's even out there. I am using Type F in my Fordo and everything seems ok though.
By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
Hi Paul.I am using type  "F" also.After I drained  and refilled assuming "F" was the replacement  for "A" .Marvh actually posted the correct info if you go to a search for "transmission fluid".Type F will work fine but Dexron 3 will give smoother shift.
By f-fun2 - 14 Years Ago
Sounds like both will work, but a smoother shift would be nice so I may go with the Dexron. Thanks everyone.
By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
Just be sure to drain ALL the existing fluid.There are 2 plugs on the convertor.Undo one and then turn convertor 180 and do the second one.Let it sit as long as possible(overnite+) to drain as much fluid as possible.
By marvh - 14 Years Ago
The older Fordomatics, (pre 1958) called for Type A automatic transmission fluid. (There is also an aluminum case Fordomatic 2spd that came out in 1959. I don't remember what trans fluid was recommended) Type A has been replaced by several different Dexrons and what is now Dexron III.

Type F fluid came out for use in the new cruise-o-matic transmissions in about 1958. Type F was also used in the FMX and most pre '77 Ford transmissions and in some other Ford transmissions til 1981.
Most oil manufactures list pre 77 Ford's to use Type F as they seem to believe there are no Fords still running that are older than 1958.

Type F has a higher viscosity than Dexron III and a higher heat tolerance. Dexron has more lubricity than Type F which makes a softer shift compared to the Type F which is more firm or harsh.

The key thing is;  use what you transmission rebuilder advises as he may has installed the newer bands and clutches that use a material that requires a Dexron III fluid. Also he is the guy who has to provide warranty.

Do not use the newer fluids such as Mercon V which has a very different formula used for the lock up converters.

There is newer Type FA on the market which is supposed to be a replacement for Type F and superior to the original Type F. I am not up to speed on it.

here is some interesting reading on the Type f vs Type A and Dexron fluids

http://www.pennzoil.ca/documents/Automatic%20Transmission%20Fluid.pdf
http://www.hwpetro.com/_fileCabinet/TexacoData/Hav-ATF-F.pdf
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_ATF_Type_F.aspx
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=52&pcid=9
http://ezinearticles.com/?Use-the-Correct-Type-of-Transmission-Fluid-to-Prevent-Mechanical-Problems&id=4847509

marv

By crenwelge - 14 Years Ago
Type A is still available, but I can't say I recommend it for anything other than a jalopy that leaks a lot. I sell this stuff for $1.99 a quart retail.



http://www.warrenunilube.com/transfluids.html





You can't expect much for that price.
By HT32BSX115 - 14 Years Ago
The key thing is; use what you transmission rebuilder advises as he may has installed the newer bands and clutches that use a material that requires a Dexron III fluid. Also he is the guy who has to provide warranty.






Howdy,





I asked the guy that rebuilt my custom E4OD recently and he told me that if your Ford-o-matic has "brass" clutches, you MUST use "F"



If it has more modern clutch material, you should use Dexron/Mercon.



He also said If you use Dexron/mercon in a trans with brass clutches, you will have problems.





Cheers,





Rick
By harleyjohn45 - 5 Years Ago
10 replies and six different solutions.  How can one go wrong.  By the way, I have no idea what kind of clutches my transmission has.  
By Rusty_S85 - 5 Years Ago
harleyjohn45 (1/12/2019)
10 replies and six different solutions.  How can one go wrong.  By the way, I have no idea what kind of clutches my transmission has.  


From the reading ive been doing it seems like steel clutches is what the FOM had and it seems rebuild kits come with steel clutches as well unless Jasper Engine and Transmission didn't know what they were talking about.

None the less it seems Meron was the replacement for Type A.  Type F was not a replacement and I don't know if I would trust using Type F in that case.  I use Type F in my FMX in my Mercury which it calls for, my truck calls for Dexron/mercon for that C6 so either way I go I only need to stock two types of fluid vs the 3 I am stocking now.