The Mercon link is very informative. It appears Mercon V should satisfies the original question of this thread. As stated above, it isn't easy as the old days. At least in my area, there are numerous dealers and auto part stores that carry Motorcraft fluids at competitive prices. Thanks for the link..............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Below are some excellently written (IMO) TECH ARTICLES on the subject. It isn't easy as the old days ...

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission_fluid
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEXRON
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MERCON

And a lot has to do with what friction materials you choose or supplied within an overhaul kit and/or what you expect out of the trans.

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Interesting information. I'm not surprised that there is a modern fluid that will substitute for suffix A fluid. It's just that it's hard to abandon something that has worked reliably for many years, in my case.  If I were to rebuild a FOM or COM for my own use, I would indeed use Mercon V, the semi synthetic type. At the moment, if for someone else, I would still use type F only because I know what has worked well in the past. Otherwise, I would feel like I  would be experimenting with someone else transmmssion.  Development of automotive fluids is constantly and rapidly changing. For me, trying to keep up with it has been a challenge and Mercon V will be on my radar. Thanks for the information...............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Current proper replacement for TYPE A, TYPE A SUFFIX A and all early FORD specified DEXRON's (incl FORD variants) is now MERCON V, a partial synthetic. FORD dropped all previous DEXRON/MERCON based fluids.

TYPE F can be used on an early DEXRON based trans (firmer shifts) but not DEXRON in a TYPE F trans.

As for GM based DEXRON, one must be sure to use the correct superseded fluid in a late GM trans as well as correct fluids in a late FORD trans. It might take a bit of ciphering.

Same for PS FLUID. If the bottle does not have the GM or FORD license number on it, better leave it alone. Lot of cheap junk floating around out there.

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trans expert at ford dealer told me merton is great. used it on a older recedes ,stoped the sloping shifts, asked hime about ford automatics, he claims works great as he had a 57ford auto ??

I'm NO expert on Auto trans, I have only owned one in my lifetime. From what a guy I know who has been building them all his life told me that Ford went from type A to F when the friction materials changed. So depending on your trans having original material or it has been rebuilt using new materials that determines what fluid to use..

Even tho I responded to the original question. I have a 1962 medium case Cruise-O-Matic behind the 292 in my 56 Victoria. The shop that did the work installed Dextron ll and recommended it. As I have removed the pan and made leak repairs (were not necessarily because the problem was a vent hole) I use what was compatible by reading the backs of ATF qt bottles. I have not had any shift or problems I can feel. Maybe it’s wrong but I buy the auto parts brand usually O Reilly’s as they are the closest. It doe not have a specific labeling number. Compatibility is on the back of the container.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

If you read the technical section of the CTCI restoration manual for 1955-57 Thunderbirds, it does not recommend Type F. Type F replaced Type A, which caused premature failure of transmissions, due to slippage desired for smooth shifts. Type F reduced slippage and firmed up shifts. For that reason, Type F is used by some drag racers and is recommended by some torque converter manufacturers. However, Type F requires more frequent fluid changes and will not extend the life of the transmission, as will Dexron replacement fluids. 

Type "F",   for transmissions manufactured in the 70's and earlier as per Motorcraft description. It's NOT expensive. NPD offers it for a reasonable price or the Ford store.   I've used it in Fordomatics & Cruiseoatics for decades without any issues no mater when or where I sourced parts. Hope this helps, JEFF..........


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

What is the best substitute for the now defunct Type A in our Fordomatics? Thanks.