The Ford Barn

bullrunmotor · 10-01-2019, 09:38 PM

Shop has completed rebuilding automatic transmission for my 56. Technician said synthetic ATF would be fine. Anybody got an oipnion on synthietic vs Mercon? Thanks in advance.

Daves55Sedan · 10-01-2019, 09:42 PM

I have always use Dexron/Mercon fluid. I think everyone will agree it is the recommended replacement for type A fluid.
Sometime you can still find type A in farm supply stores, but it is not the same formula as the original type A anyway. (No whale oil). synthetic is used for lubrication properties, so might as well get Dex/Merc.

KULTULZ · 10-02-2019, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullrunmotor

Shop has completed rebuilding automatic transmission for my 56. Technician said synthetic ATF would be fine. Anybody got an oipnion on synthietic vs Mercon? Thanks in advance.

MERCON V is synthetic and is FORD's replacement for previous MERCON fluids.

rotorwrench · 10-02-2019, 01:56 PM

If the seals are compatible with synthetic then it will function but I don't know how well. Synthetic oils like to find their way through oil seals of certain materials with their low viscosity ratings. It works OK with Viton and fluorosilicon type seals but not as well with the old neoprene. I think I'd go with Mercon or Dexron II if your going that route. The old Ford-O & Merc-O-Matics have never really been updated to modern specs. They still use the steel and bronze clutch plates in the clutch packs. Slippage will ruin them. If you need a more positive shift, the older type F should be used.

KULTULZ · 10-02-2019, 04:29 PM

I would trust the TECH at the shop. That shop will not put something in that will cause a repair situation within the warranty.

Lubricants have changed greatly since the fifties as well as friction materials/gasket and seal materials. I doubt very seriously they located a NOS repair kit and used it. The kit would be of the latest design.

rotorwrench · 10-02-2019, 06:47 PM

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Many modern techs are taught very little about the early type transmissions. I only trust a guy that has a lot of experience with the older units. They literally don't build them like that any more and haven't for many years. The old Ford AOD was the last transmission that was even close.

I've had more than one tech ask me how a non electric transmission works. If they see a bronze friction plate they look puzzled. A lot of the new friction plates are composite lined but thickness varies. Folks start wondering how many plates to put in there when the stack up doesn't match where it's supposed to go. It can end up as messed up as a soup sandwich. I just hope most folks that own these transmissions don't end up with techs that have no experience with them.

paul2748 · 10-02-2019, 07:24 PM

Use what the rebuilder suggests. I had two automatics (C-4's) done at a shop that recommended synthetic. No problems with it.

If you use something else and the trans go sour, the shop may not stand behind it because you didn't follow their recommendation.

BRU · 10-17-2019, 01:58 PM

Bullrunmotor, I would suggest going right to the owner of the shop rather than going through the tech since the owner is the one who will have to stand behind it. Good luck with your tranny!

10-01-2019, 09:38 PM	#1
bullrunmotor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 210	ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission Shop has completed rebuilding automatic transmission for my 56. Technician said synthetic ATF would be fine. Anybody got an oipnion on synthietic vs Mercon? Thanks in advance.

10-01-2019, 09:42 PM	#2
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission I have always use Dexron/Mercon fluid. I think everyone will agree it is the recommended replacement for type A fluid. Sometime you can still find type A in farm supply stores, but it is not the same formula as the original type A anyway. (No whale oil). synthetic is used for lubrication properties, so might as well get Dex/Merc.

10-02-2019, 01:56 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission If the seals are compatible with synthetic then it will function but I don't know how well. Synthetic oils like to find their way through oil seals of certain materials with their low viscosity ratings. It works OK with Viton and fluorosilicon type seals but not as well with the old neoprene. I think I'd go with Mercon or Dexron II if your going that route. The old Ford-O & Merc-O-Matics have never really been updated to modern specs. They still use the steel and bronze clutch plates in the clutch packs. Slippage will ruin them. If you need a more positive shift, the older type F should be used.

10-02-2019, 04:29 PM	#5
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission I would trust the TECH at the shop. That shop will not put something in that will cause a repair situation within the warranty. Lubricants have changed greatly since the fifties as well as friction materials/gasket and seal materials. I doubt very seriously they located a NOS repair kit and used it. The kit would be of the latest design. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

10-02-2019, 06:47 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Many modern techs are taught very little about the early type transmissions. I only trust a guy that has a lot of experience with the older units. They literally don't build them like that any more and haven't for many years. The old Ford AOD was the last transmission that was even close. I've had more than one tech ask me how a non electric transmission works. If they see a bronze friction plate they look puzzled. A lot of the new friction plates are composite lined but thickness varies. Folks start wondering how many plates to put in there when the stack up doesn't match where it's supposed to go. It can end up as messed up as a soup sandwich. I just hope most folks that own these transmissions don't end up with techs that have no experience with them.

10-02-2019, 07:24 PM	#7
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,979	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission Use what the rebuilder suggests. I had two automatics (C-4's) done at a shop that recommended synthetic. No problems with it. If you use something else and the trans go sour, the shop may not stand behind it because you didn't follow their recommendation. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

10-17-2019, 01:58 PM	#8
BRU Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: LaValle,WI Posts: 18	Re: ATF fluid recomendation for 56 Auto Transmission Bullrunmotor, I would suggest going right to the owner of the shop rather than going through the tech since the owner is the one who will have to stand behind it. Good luck with your tranny!