I changed my transmission fluid yesterday and when I refilled the transmission it would take 12 quarts. I used a Valvoline Synthetic that says it meets Mercon III and Mercon V standards. Feel free to comment on that fluid. I think it is the same stuff I used when I installed the shift kit, just newer. I figure there were 2 quarts somewhere between the valve body and the cooler lines.
I installed a TransGo Shift Kit at 19,950 miles. Now with 41,240 miles and 21,280 on the transmission with the shift kit I had a small amount of sludge on the magnet but not much.
I did drain the torque converter. I had to use the same bolt because the two dealers in town had none. The bolt in the converter had a 5/16 head so I think a hardware store bolt would have worked for a replacement.
So far I am satisfied with the TransGo Shift Kit.

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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

Put some teflon tape on the threads of the converter plug and it should be fine.

G

 

The plug looks like it has tapered threads. Don't know why Ford recomends changing it every time. Just snugged mine up, no leaks. I also couldn't get out "all" the fluid. 12 outa 14 I think (4R100). Better than the old days of drain the pan and add 5 qts.

 

V10 Man, you are so right. In fact, that is exactly what the guy at the parts counter told me most people do. Drain the pan and add 5 quarts.
I wanted to go for the method that would get the most fresh fluid in as possible.
It did take abount 3 miles of slow driving before the torque converter filled again. I let it idle for a time and then did a couple of slow loops around my block before I went over 30mph.

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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

You're right, that would be a problem. Sorry, I just wasn't thinking.

G

 

Tom,

According to my dealer, they added 12 quarts on my full transmission flush. My son's 1999 4x4 is being done at his dealer with a 12 quart flush also.

They both did what you did.......

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Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

A good hydraulic tech would never put teflon tape on any component where risk of teflon tape getting into any orifice is possible. A similar analogy is where good mechanics never use red-rags when working in an engine -- the cotton does not disentigrate as does paper towel -- and can clog mission-critical orifices.

Teflon tape is great for your hot water tank -- but is a death threat for any hydraulic logic.

The issue is often not one of where the technician incorrectly applies it, but where once dis-assembled, the tape strings left in the threads get dislodged by the re-insertion of the fitting by the next un-suspecting technician.

Use teflon *paste* on mission-critical components.