E4od fluid change

For some reason Ford uses chicken wire grade filters - actually screens. I would go to NAPA and ask to see a filter. To me changing chicken wire is an exercise in uselessness. But I heartily endorse draining the torque converter. When dinosaurs ruled the earth and I did a stint at a Plymouth agency, I discovered torque converters drain real slow. I hope yours drains faster than the old MoPar A727 and A904 did. Ford C4 and C6 Converters drained slow as well.

17 quarts is more than four gallons. Prepare yourself! I used to see if I could leave a drain pan in llace then back the finished job away from the filled drain pan. Depends on crossmember and tie rod clearance. Dragging a pan from beneath a rig meant slopping drained oil all over. And overfilling a transmission is a no-no.

Hope this helps

You will not have a drain pan plug.

I took mine in to have it done once I found out it took something like 17 quarts and the local shop only wanted $110 to do the complete job.

They left the filter in and did your basic bucket transmission fluid change. After 35K miles the fluid was still nice and pink with no burnt smell.

They put in what the dipstick told them to use.

Mercon V is right. If you do have a drain plug in the pan....drain it then pull the pan off. Pull the torque convertor cover off and rotate the torque convertor till you see the drain on it....remove that drain plug. Change the filter....put the plugs back in and fill. Should take about 17-18 quarts.

If you have a drain plug in the pan I would use that and skip the filter.
More important is to also drain the torque converter. 1997 should have a TC drain plug.
I think my transmission (4r70w) is similar and I use Mobil 1 synthetic. I think it is about 13 quarts for pan and TC.