[rotorwrench]

The metallic plates need a positive shift. If the shift is harsh it generally has a bit too high a pressure at idle. The pressure can be adjusted with the TV control rod.

If you feel better using Dexron III or later Dexron/Mercon type then go ahead. At least is has something in it. There has been so much water under the bridge since 1966 when they started to develope type F that it's hard to find any information about the subject. It just boils down to the bronze & steely type clutch plates that Ford used clear up till the C6 transmission came on line. It has composition plates so it uses Dexron/Mercon type fluid. Ford continued to use the metallic plates clear up into the 80s with the FMX transmissions but they don't make any transmission that use them now and haven't for many years.

The "caution" on metallic plates is all about slippage. You don't want any slippage or there will be a lot of bronze plate material in the pan and it will eventually start to slip no matter how it's adjusted. As long as it doesn't start slipping, you will be OK.

The oil doesn't make swarf. That's just a byproduct of wear & tear. The bronze material is non magnetic. An oil change cleans crap out of there. It doesn't hurt to have it clean in there. Pump gears wear, bearings wear, and planetary gears wear as well as many other items so don't be surprised to find some metal. When you see part numbers in there then you know you have a problem.