Difference in clutch & band materials C-6 70-86

[oilcan]

I have a 86 C-6 Ford tranny in an F250 4x4, this tranny has been rebuilt 35,000 miles ago.
My dipstick has no fluid recommendation. My question is what changes have been made between the 70s/80s to make TYPE F not able to be run in any C-6? As I remeber there was a need to make automatics shift smooth, people didn't want to feel shifts so along came Dexron\Wavy Clutch Steels for Fords, a much slipier fluid.
In the 70s a tranny shop I worked in used TYPE F in everything we rebuilt, this shop was in the SF Bay Area and we worked on more than just Ford, Chevy,& Dodge.
I would be greatful for any input out there.

 

[7TFord]

The original Type-F fluids didn't have slipperiness additives which allowed for more positive shifting and after 1983 Ford called for a Dexron fluid as you say. I suppose the clutch plate materials are different now as to not allow you to use Type-F in your C6, but I don't know for sure. About 15 years ago now though a friend of mine had his GM 4x4 transmission rebuilt and the shop put in Type-F fluid saying it would work better. He put a lot of miles on that truck after with no troubles.

 

[crashz]

Those C-6 trannies are probably the toughest auto tranny made for light duty trucks and cars. In my opinion it is one of the best products that Ford ever made.

But I think the C-6s produced in the 80's are required to have Mercon fluid in them. You may want to call a Ford dealer and find out.

 

[MolaKule]

Here are three fluids I recommend for the C-6, and agree that the C-6 is one of Ford's toughest. For Modified stock racing here in this area, the most popular tranny's are the GM TH442-, 45, the 700-R4, and the C-6.

You need a 7.5/35ish cSt ATF oil for the C-6.

Try the Redline Dexron II ATF
http://www.myoilshop.com/AutoPrds.html

or the Amsoil Torque-Drive
http://www.amsoil.com/products/atd.htm

or the Schaeffer's 204S,
http://www.schaefferoil.com/data/204S.html

[ December 09, 2003, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]