TWM - At the speed that a person can turn the crankshaft by hand, the Torque Converter just turns slowly, and can't drive at that RPM, and nothing in the trans turns. Even if you could spin it fast enough (like 400-500 RPM!), it would be no worse than engine running, trans in Park.
I usually don't use sealer, unless there is evidence of seepage. If you do, use it sparingly, just a thin coat on threads only. Have fun!

 

Okay, just went and asked the dealer about trans fluids. They said mine takes MerconIII and NOT to put in MerconV. I picked up 7 gallons of MerconIII fluid at Wal-mart. ($1/qt.) and am planning on changing it twice to at least replace 75% of the 30k mi. old fluids, Then once more when I do the shift kit.

I'd really be interested in knowing if there is a great difference in various fluids. Is there a industry rating system or data base which rates the various product for lifespan? (Valvoline v. Penzoil) I would love to put a better fluid in there but can't really see the advantages right now over just simply draining it every 30k mi. without some hard data. I think penzoil has a ATF that is MerconV & III compatible for just less than $3/qt. What about B&M Trans fluids? Help.

It's looking like I won't actually be under the truck til next week at the soonest. This week was suspension week. Installed the Fabtech 3.5" kit. (Excellent. Very Excellent.)

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97 XLT SC w/63k mi. 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, avg. 17.2 MPG w/ Goodyear GA 255/75/16's
future mods:BFG 285/75/16's, Trans-go shift kit,
80-90k mi. mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>

 

I asked the transmission guy at my local Ford dealership about Mercon V vs Mercon in my 1997 4R70W. His response was to use the regular Mercon only. There are no TSB's to indicate otherwise. Same answer from the Aamco shop.

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1997 F150 EXtended Cab 4X4. 4.6L. 3.55 with tow package. K&N Filter. Flowmaster Delta 50 with dual exhaust out the back and 3.5 inch tips. Kenwood CD player.

 

just changed my fluid a couple of days ago, mine says to use mercon V. It took 12 quarts just to let you guys know. Thats with a torque converter drain.

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99 black f150 4x2 ext. cab sport w/4.6 V8. external mods. include:
3" body lift, 3.5" fabtech lift, airaid FIPK, JBA headers, Superchip headlight/taillight covers, wiper schroud, shadeblade, ventshade, bug deflector, bed liner, tonno cover, and custom duel exhaust out the sides with 3.5" chrome tips and NO muffler. Tires: Mickey Thompson Baja HP 35 12.50 17 internal mods. include:
Pioneer indash cdplayer, 2 12" subs, 400 watt amp, remote start, and aftermarket alarm
http://www.4tssinc.com/truck
http://www.mifordtrucks.com

 

Just ordered 6 gallons of LE 7500 ATF from Lubrication Engineers. I almost went with the Amsoil, but decided to give LE an audition. The LE is marketed towards service fleets. I read a post on here where a guy was putting it in his pro-mod harley trans out at the track and showing very little wear at teardown time.

With tax and shipping it was about $4.15/qt. Hopefully this will turn the trick. Now it's just a waiting game 'til UPS drops it off. I'm still seeing folks here and they're saying MerconV will run in our trans, but for now this seemed like the conservative way to go.

This should be enough to drain the trans now, and again when I get around to installing the trans go shift improver. It's amazing how the whole of the transmission's overall performance is dependant upon stable fluids. And as far as the electronics go, right there is my number one reason for not wanting cooked gunk in there. Melted wires, not good.

Should get here sometime next week. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done with ease. I'm also installing a drain plug in the trans pan. Any helpful hints on this one? Gee, maybe I should just buy a 3/qt. aluminum expansion pan from B&M. Is 3qts. really going to make any noticable difference in a transmission with a 23 qt. capacity? We'll see, if the pan's like $50. no prob. If it's $150. I dunno, is it really worth it?

I'd better call summit.

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97 XLT SC w/63k mi. 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, avg. 17.2 MPG w/ Goodyear GA 255/75/16's
future mods:BFG 285/75/16's, Trans-go shift kit,
80-90k mi. mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>

 

THAT was EASY!!!

Draining the torque converter was almost as easy as draining the engine oil. I mean I used a 1/2" drive 16mm socket and cranked clockwise WHILE watching the torque converter spin. I had to manually turn back the fan every once in a while. I'll buy a couple new torque converter drain bolts next time. The one I reinstalled did have some slight thread wear. But all in all very easy and very simple. I netted 7qt. removal from the TC and around 4-4.5 from the pan.

Definately much easier than installing an aftermarket plug in the drain pan. I ended up wasting 5 drain plugs and it's not leaking now only because of sealant. I decided that I dont really want to get the 3+qt. pan from B&M. Not sure about that whole extender apparatus. Kind stuck now, I'll either HAVE to get a B&M pan or another ford pan.
Although, what I have going now should last until I make up my mind what to do.

I thought ford's new 4R70W trans pans came with drain plugs? The dealer told me they didn't. Help. Anyone have any info on this. Is this drain plug only on the 4R100W's?

Any ways, the trans is happy. Although, I just installed 285's so now it shifts a little different. Trans go Stage 2 shift kit on order, should arrive by the weekend, ready for install Monday.

 

4R70W pans do not come with drian plugs. Only the 4R100 has a drain plug from the factory.

Mark

 

Yeah, I guess not. Just picked up a 'bolt-on from the inside' piggy-back plug. Hoping to use JB weld or similar (preferably faster curing) equiv. to make sure the nut doesn't get loose and suck up into somewhere it shouldn't be.

Should be tackling the Stage2 Transgo this Monday. Wish me luck. Can't wait to drill holes. By the way, that LE 7500 ATF is some very solid stuff.