just bought has 4.6 auto, decided change fluid filter, pan had chunks metal, fluid black, changed it all still black fluid still runs fine, looking for trans does it have to be from 4.6? can it be 5.4? 4.2 v6? 2wd? and how still shifts good with black fluid and chunks meatal?

 

It has to be a 4R70W out of a 4.6 or 5.4 4x4. If it's out of a 5.4, you need to change the torque converter.

Did you simply do a pan drop? You only got 1/3 of the fluid out. Do it again, and this time drain the torque converter too. It has a plug.

 

though bout doing again but was scared of the metal in pan

 

were these "chunks" of metal actual chunks or just fine filings? and yes you need to drop the pan and drain the torque converter as well. Yes these motors will bolt up with most transmissions. heck there is a guy here that has a little M5OD behind a 6.8 V-10!

 

has a piece metal like a bread tie and little bitty pellet looking pieces on magnet, i believe a needle bearing has came apart, still runs and drives no slipping, but looks terrible, fluid being black i believe is aluminum and steel rubbing, hence a bearing, output shaft drum perhaps because of bearing, seems another fluid change is waste of cash, overhaul in future

 

agreed, you are due for a re-build.