Mtx Fluid Change

[Tim Nicholson]

Anybody Know If There Is A Drain Plug On The Transmission Housing On A 89 ? What Type Of Fluid Is Best Syn Or Standard Mercon, Any Additives?
Tks

 

[CerberuS]

Standard ATF , no additives.

Theres that redline one ppl like alot , if not , use regular ATF is fine.

 

[AREA 91]

There is a plug halfway up on the front of the trans (towards the front bumper). Use a 3/8 rachet to remove the square plug. There are several choices of fluid to use. You may have to experiment to find the fluid you and your tranny like the best.

Just a few to choose from:

Red Line MTL
Mobil 1 ATF
Royal Purple Syncromesh
GM Syncromesh

 

[jedhead]

Unless you install a drain plug, you will need to suck the fluid out the plug. I used Redline D4.

Bob

 

[CerberuS]

yea theres no drain plug , its a fill in plug.

 

[DDakRT]

Becareful when you're that plug, don't touch anything inside.

I use Mobil 1 ATF for both my cars.

 

[Bizzy]

There are instructions on how to drill and tap your own drain plug on SHOTimes.com but unless you're really steady with your hand and very confident I wouldn't do it while the trans is in the car. I've done my fair share of them with the trans in the car but you have to remember that you basically get one chance at doing it right.

If you're not up to that your best bet is to suck the fluid out the fill plug. Mike Ivey posted some really good instructions on how to do that. Look for a sticky thread in the "How do I" section, I believe that's where it's located.


Edit: Here's the thread.
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=27845

 

[thecrew2999]

if you want a fairly simple way to drain it out with no special things to be done take one axel off and tilt the car that way.. i learned this on a mtx swap lol.
it drained all 3.1 quarts i believe it is out. installed new fresh ford recommend fluid and good to go

 

[spiegeltuxer]

Royal Purple Max ATF. Makes a notchy feeling trans like butter. Takes about 30 miles or so to work in and you will notice a difference. I got about 20k on the last change and now its starting to feel notchy again so time for another round of Royal Purple. I am doing axles next week so its perfect timing. 202K and still going. Good luck.

 

[Bizzy]

I've been hearing a lot of good things about Royal Purple. I know they make great motor oil as well. GM Synchromesh is also good from what I hear. I always used Mobil 1 in mine but that's just me. I think each trans has its own personality to be honest, what some like others don't.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Do keep in mind, that his SHO is an '89. If the tranny is original, and hasnt been worked on, the synchro material (or blocking ring, I cannot remember) is quite different than newer trannies.

Ive tried a good deal of fluid combos in my '89 Titanium. And the best bet so far for mine has been Syncromesh with a shot of Ford Friction modifier.