The Ford Barn

123finboy · 05-05-2013, 06:00 AM

I'm about to replace the fluid in my '58 Cruise-O-Matic. Is Type F the best way to go?

Y-Blockhead · 05-05-2013, 10:36 AM

Yes...

eshaver · 05-05-2013, 12:51 PM

The Type "F" has a friction additive in it . Ford transmissions all the way up to about 1970 need the old "F" type .

sprink88 · 05-05-2013, 09:37 PM

Do they even make the type A anymore?

eshaver · 05-06-2013, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprink88

Do they even make the type A anymore?

As a matter of fact, they do ! Ive seen it in Advance stores , Pep Boys and one time in an O' rieley store ..............

Y-Blockhead · 05-06-2013, 10:48 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sprink88

Do they even make the type A anymore?

Sounds off the wall I know, but whenever I have a question like this I refer to Amazon.com. They sell everything!!

Don't necessarily buy from Amazon but sometimes do. Cheaper price, free shipping.

sprink88 · 05-06-2013, 07:02 PM

lol. "Get my trans fluid from Amazon" lol.. whats next?

What would anyone recommend. Type A or type F?

streetdreams · 05-08-2013, 07:44 AM

Don't know if you guys know about this or not, but Oprah is going to have a show on fuels and lubricants on soon. Normally don't watch her, but having Martha Stewart on as an expert on the subject sure clinched it for me.

eshaver · 05-08-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetdreams

Don't know if you guys know about this or not, but Oprah is going to have a show on fuels and lubricants on soon. Normally don't watch her, but having Martha Stewart on as an expert on the subject sure clinched it for me.

AN IFFIN ya believe Martha Stewart's advice , lemmie sell ya some cheap stock for the Dulles Toll road here in Virginia !

bbrocksr · 05-08-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123finboy

I'm about to replace the fluid in my '58 Cruise-O-Matic. Is Type F the best way to go?

Type F was for Ford transmissions with OEM/ original clutch lining material. After they have been rebuilt with aftermarket clutches you can use type A/ or Dexron.
There are not many of these transmissions that haven't been rebuilt as they are at least 40-50 years old.
Your choice but I would go with Type A/ Dexron.
Bill

paul2748 · 05-08-2013, 08:21 PM

I used Type F in my 56 Fordomatic with no problems. I assume it was rebuilt sometime in the past. Original was Type A

123finboy · 05-20-2013, 08:41 AM

Thanks guys....it seems like type F is the safest choice since I don't have a complete history of the trany.

Y-Blockhead · 05-20-2013, 10:42 AM

And you can get it from Amazon.com Free shipping. Gift wrapped if you wish.

Paul H · 05-20-2013, 11:20 AM

If type F is best,why do the Fordomatic and 55/56 shop manuals say to use type A?

sprink88 · 05-20-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

And you can get it from Amazon.com Free shipping. Gift wrapped if you wish.

haha Gift wrapped. Good present for my car

sprink88 · 05-20-2013, 08:30 PM

I personally think it is because type A is an obsolete fluid. Meaning GM and Ford both used type A back in the day and over the years have each made their own type per their own recommendations. So instead of having 10 different types on the auto store shelves, It just became what it is now.

At least that is what I tell myself.

eshaver · 05-21-2013, 02:38 PM

By the late 70's , early 80's , type "A " was usually a very cheap grade of hydraulic oil and canned by using the left overs from whatever was on the lines . I was in contact with a couple of companies in Texas who routinely did this ...........

Motorhead6 · 05-26-2013, 09:39 AM

Read the dipstick. No, I'm not calling anyone names. LOL. I mean the oil dipstick in the transmission will clearly tell you the type of transmission fluid to use. I think there is more to the different types of fluid than friction qualities; they also have compatability issues with the rubber part internal to the tranny. Just to be safe, use what the dipstick says to use.

40 Deluxe · 05-31-2013, 02:35 AM

Another point: originally, Ford-O-Matics and Cruise-O-Matics used bronze faced friction clutch discs for which Type A was used. Type A also originally used sperm whale oil as an essential additive (before whaling was outlawed and/or before sperm whales became nearly extinct). Somewhere along the line another type of additive was developed and paper faced clutch discs replaced the bronze (don't remember if the two went hand in hand).

paul2748 · 06-01-2013, 09:44 PM

Type A us usually not obtainable, hardly any stores carry it and many may not even be able to order it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul H

If type F is best,why do the Fordomatic and 55/56 shop manuals say to use type A?

05-05-2013, 06:00 AM	#1
123finboy Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 35	Correct Auto Trans Fluid? I'm about to replace the fluid in my '58 Cruise-O-Matic. Is Type F the best way to go?

05-05-2013, 10:36 AM	#2
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,928	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Yes...

05-05-2013, 12:51 PM	#3
eshaver Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: currently Richmond Va. Posts: 33	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? The Type "F" has a friction additive in it . Ford transmissions all the way up to about 1970 need the old "F" type . __________________ See ya on the Road folks !

05-05-2013, 09:37 PM	#4
sprink88 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 39	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Do they even make the type A anymore?

05-06-2013, 07:02 PM	#7
sprink88 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 39	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? lol. "Get my trans fluid from Amazon" lol.. whats next? What would anyone recommend. Type A or type F?

05-08-2013, 07:44 AM	#8
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Don't know if you guys know about this or not, but Oprah is going to have a show on fuels and lubricants on soon. Normally don't watch her, but having Martha Stewart on as an expert on the subject sure clinched it for me.

05-08-2013, 08:21 PM	#11
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 4,011	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? I used Type F in my 56 Fordomatic with no problems. I assume it was rebuilt sometime in the past. Original was Type A

05-20-2013, 08:41 AM	#12
123finboy Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 35	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Thanks guys....it seems like type F is the safest choice since I don't have a complete history of the trany.

05-20-2013, 10:42 AM	#13
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,928	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? And you can get it from Amazon.com Free shipping. Gift wrapped if you wish.

05-20-2013, 11:20 AM	#14
Paul H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boonville MO Posts: 104	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? If type F is best,why do the Fordomatic and 55/56 shop manuals say to use type A? __________________ Paul H.

05-20-2013, 08:30 PM	#16
sprink88 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 39	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? I personally think it is because type A is an obsolete fluid. Meaning GM and Ford both used type A back in the day and over the years have each made their own type per their own recommendations. So instead of having 10 different types on the auto store shelves, It just became what it is now. At least that is what I tell myself.

05-21-2013, 02:38 PM	#17
eshaver Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: currently Richmond Va. Posts: 33	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? By the late 70's , early 80's , type "A " was usually a very cheap grade of hydraulic oil and canned by using the left overs from whatever was on the lines . I was in contact with a couple of companies in Texas who routinely did this ........... __________________ See ya on the Road folks !

05-26-2013, 09:39 AM	#18
Motorhead6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange Park, Fl Posts: 406	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Read the dipstick. No, I'm not calling anyone names. LOL. I mean the oil dipstick in the transmission will clearly tell you the type of transmission fluid to use. I think there is more to the different types of fluid than friction qualities; they also have compatability issues with the rubber part internal to the tranny. Just to be safe, use what the dipstick says to use.

05-31-2013, 02:35 AM	#19
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,791	Re: Correct Auto Trans Fluid? Another point: originally, Ford-O-Matics and Cruise-O-Matics used bronze faced friction clutch discs for which Type A was used. Type A also originally used sperm whale oil as an essential additive (before whaling was outlawed and/or before sperm whales became nearly extinct). Somewhere along the line another type of additive was developed and paper faced clutch discs replaced the bronze (don't remember if the two went hand in hand).