Ford Transmission and external magnefine filter

That is fabulous for a gas engine. I have the 7.3L diesel and hope it last that long. :)

tvman44 wrote:
Just curious if all of the 387,000 miles is on the same engine??

Yup. Just did my 4th tune up last spring. I had to go short on the 2nd set of plugs because the Predator tuner burns through them faster. Switched to Irridium and I'm back to 100,000 tuneups.

Also did the radiator around 280k when it exploded (still made it home 200 miles) and I'm on my 4th starter relay. Also had to do the main heater hose coming out of the manifold.

Mark Kovalsky wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
You might want to check on Ford-trucks.com. Mark K is over there and he has extensive experience with the 4R100. Also, I think that the Mercon SP has replaced all other fluids.

MERCON SP has NOT replaced all other fluids! Using MERCON SP in a 4R100 will guarantee the need for a rebuild. The 4R100 requires MERCON V.

The V10 and 7.3L 4R100 are similar, not exactly the same. The torque converters are different and have different part numbers. They have different stall RPMs. That alone drives a different part number.

The V10 does not keep the converter locked all the time. It does lock more than the 7.3L, but not all the time. The reason is different engineers programmed the two. One knew what he was doing more than the other one did. There is no good engineering reason why one would be locked more often than the other.

Getting back to the original question. That filter needs to be replaced, or just removed. It was added later, those trucks did not leave the factory with an external filter. I can argue it either way. If you want an external filter, get a new one. The one that is there will plug up and cause problems. If you just remove it your truck will be like 95% of the other 4R100s running around without an external filter and not have any problems.

Thanks for the correction. I'm only used to the Torqshift.

Mark Kovalsky wrote:
It applies to all 4R100s regardless of engine size.

Thanks

Just curious if all of the 387,000 miles is on the same engine??

It applies to all 4R100s regardless of engine size.

That filter needs to be replaced, or just removed. It was added later, those trucks did not leave the factory with an external filter.

The engine is 5.4. (Sorry left out of original post)
I'm going to assume same principle for filter applies to 5.4

Thank you

mudfuel07 wrote:
You might want to check on Ford-trucks.com. Mark K is over there and he has extensive experience with the 4R100. Also, I think that the Mercon SP has replaced all other fluids.

MERCON SP has NOT replaced all other fluids! Using MERCON SP in a 4R100 will guarantee the need for a rebuild. The 4R100 requires MERCON V.

The V10 and 7.3L 4R100 are similar, not exactly the same. The torque converters are different and have different part numbers. They have different stall RPMs. That alone drives a different part number.

The V10 does not keep the converter locked all the time. It does lock more than the 7.3L, but not all the time. The reason is different engineers programmed the two. One knew what he was doing more than the other one did. There is no good engineering reason why one would be locked more often than the other.

Getting back to the original question. That filter needs to be replaced, or just removed. It was added later, those trucks did not leave the factory with an external filter. I can argue it either way. If you want an external filter, get a new one. The one that is there will plug up and cause problems. If you just remove it your truck will be like 95% of the other 4R100s running around without an external filter and not have any problems.

OP here. Thanks for all the replies.

I do hope Mark Kovalsky adds his comments. He has been pointed out as the "one".

It is amazing what you can learn on these boards. In my posting I mentioned "parts" guy. I actually respect his knowledge on a lot of things, but I also know he is into racing and is more concerned with speed versus myself that is concerned with longevity.

99% of the parts I buy from him is just a simple replacement for a worn out part. So I don't want anybody to think I don't appreciate the "parts" guy. He did turn me on to Ford xg11 grease that has 572 degree dropping point.

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/product.asp?product=High%20Temperature%204x4%20Front%20Axle%20and%20Wheel%20Bearing%20Grease&category=Greases

The external filter does provide more protection than the standard internal filter, and is so much easier to change! While the filter is off, put 5 gallon bucket under the filter (helps if you did what I did and mount it behind the bumper and with the lines pointed down while the filter is off). Start the engine with the filter off, and it will drain the transmission in about 3 minutes at idle. then taking off the pan becomes very simple, no dripping fluid on you! You can then change the in pan filter, and more important, clean the in pan magnet too! It will pick up some metal debris while the engine is running, and it sticks to the magnet for years, but can not be cleaned out without removing the pan.

I also have a engine coolant water filter too. Right next to the trans filter. Coolant filter is Napa #FIL4070 with a kit to install it Napa FIL4019. It is plumbed into the heater hose line, and new filter installed every September, so that I have good water flow all winter, it will slightly plug in the summer, and reduce heat in the dash A/C system!

I can understand the parts guy saying that a external filter 'can' reduce transmission oil flow volume through the transmission coolers. And it will reduce the flow - say from 10 gallons per minute to about 9.5 gallons per minute. so just a small amount. But well worth it to keep the fluid very Clean! Just change the fluid filters every 10,000 miles (even if you are not changing the fluid that frequently) and keep an eye on the transmission temps. If the temps start to climb, then it is time to change the filter again!

Happy camping!

Fred.