Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle MTX fluid observations

We can argue till we're blue in the face about what WAS spec'd, what IS spec'd, what cut the gears are, etc. etc.

But we have enough real world testing to know what works and what doesn't.

Ford didn't move away from the Mercon spec because transmissions were wearing out gradually. I bet we could still find manual Contours on the road right now with over 100k miles on them and original tranny's. People who just stick to what the service manual says. Probably people who drive gently. That shows that Mercon may not be the best choice, but it's an acceptable choice. If it wasn't at least "ok" they wouldn't have put it in from the factory.

I will certainly concede that a smooth shifting MTX75 with no mechanical issues will do better with Ford Honey. Should last longer, should shift well (maybe a tad thick when really cold, but reasonable). It's what Terry runs in his tranny's and what he recommends after a rebuild. A rebuild that includes a lot of UPDATED parts that are the keys to smooth easy shifts... UPDATED parts that most of us don't have.

There's a LOT of us driving around with original MTX75s that aren't perfect, that have slight fork issues, or synchro issues. We've got problems.
If people have the money, and want to have the perfect transmission, they're gonna have to drop some big bucks and get a rebuild.

But I bet a lot of people like myself want to protect the tranny as well as possible, and just keep driving. My tranny isn't great, but it's not bad either. Far from undrivable. Why not maximize my protection and driving enjoyment???

In my car, this means Royal Purple. It's cSt is thinner than Ford Honey so cold behavior is better. Yet it's synthetic so it protects better than any dino ATF. Add in the friction modifiers and it's the perfect choice for me. And I bet a few other people too.

In my case at least, if was to go back to Ford Honey, I bet I would need tranny work done SOONER than I will need it running Synchromax. Why? All those stiff shifts are hard on the forks and on the cables and the entire shift tower. Something could snap. I'd also be crunching and grinding the synchros into oblivion. Been there, tried it, no thanks.

And.. YES, If I ever have the thing rebuilt by TH I will definitely go with Ford Honey.

Brian
99 SVT
78k miles

I agree that you SHOULD always go with the recommended Fluid.. but Ford Recommended Mercon and thats what came in from the factory.. and there are people here that had switched to Honey and there cold weather shifting was terrible.... so why would I want to spend all that money on fluid that is no better than cheap ATF in the cold??

I haven't tried Honey so I can't complain.. I'm just trying to find a good alternative to it.. and here is the original quote: (not mine)

"From my trials, I would rank them like this:
#1 Royal Purple (easy shifts, no crunching into second)
#2 ATF+3 (Quaker State dino) (shifted easily, occasionally crunched)
#3 Redline MTL (shifted easily enough but crunched too often while cold, even though I had added FM)
#4 Factory Fill (hard shifts, crunching when cold)
#5 Ford Honey (unbearable. to go into 1st, car had to be at a complete stop, then i had to double clutch. never did 1-2 in the first 10 minutes of driving, had to go to 3rd. )"

I tried the Ford honey on my MTX-75, found it to be completely unbearable. May have been my clutch though - which was defective and is being replaced this week. will be topped up with Ford honey.

Currently I am using Quaker State dino ATF and it shifts great. But it was just a temporary means so that I would be able to get in gear when cold out.

I think my next ideal choice is some regulary changed (every 2-3 oil changes) Amsoil European Formula Synthetic 5w-40.

Please refer owners to the current Ford lube chart and not the transaxle are and the MTX75 info from 1995 to current date.

Chart is here.
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/supplier/quickref/mantrans.pdf

is this damn pissing match ever going to stop? Or are we continue to read about who's penis works better?