Originally Posted By: cafasco
After draining/cleaning pan & torque converter and reinstalling pan, & tq bolt, dump in 5-6 qts ATF. Start truck, and install 10qts while the truck is running so it pumps the fluid into the torque converter. Check the fluid...may have to add some.
If I remember right my '97 took Dextron III/Mercon V...which is the most common type of trans fluid.
E40D/4R100 transmission is the only one that has a torque converter drain plug...which is sweet. Ford stopped making the torque converter w/drain plug on the E40D/4R100 transmissions in 2002 I believe.
What I do is add six quarts, then I start the truck and SHIFT through all the gears. DO NOT WORRY, it will not engage all the gears. You just want to get the fluid moving in the transmission so that you can fill it properly. After you do this, get it warm and in park (running), and see how much fluid is on the stick, and add the appropriate amount. I leave the truck running when I add the fluid, it won't hurt a thing. I have done this about a dozen times, i've owned at least 5 4r70w cars.
My f150 had the 4r70w transmission, if you have a 4r100 then check your manual, there is a warning not to use Mercon V, only Mercon. The 4r70w has been speced to run Mercon V, if it isn't in the manual then there is a TSB that recommends the upgraded fluid.
The 97-98 will have a drain plug for sure, unless the converter was replaced at some time. The replacement converters do not have a drain plug (bean counters). The reason they do this is to save money, also ford uses a rotunda flush machine to service this transmission, they do not drain the converter like you would at home.