More Questions on tranny fluid filter change

[Ed_Strong]

I'm ready for it... got the 15 quarts of Castrol MerconV fluid, Filter & Gasket and the transparent piece of hose, but there still some info I would like to have before I get started.
It's a 2000 Windstar LX 3.8L Automatic with the plain factory tranny cooler (not the towing package). I got Filter part No. FK-266-76011EA (FRAM crossref partt No. FT1167) The parts guy wasn't sure so I would like to know before I do anything first.

Wiswind pictures on the fluid flush process show a 96 model year... mine is a 2000 model, and I would like to know if the return line is the same. If not then which is the return line to the tranny?

Also does anyone know which are the torque specs for the pan screws after reassembly?

Thanks in advance for all or any help!

[Ed_Strong]

Ooops, I stand corrected...!
Earlier today I crawled underneath and saw that I do have a cooler, but I'm not 100% sure its for the Tranny tho. It's a single pipe with fins behind the front Bumper and right in front of the lower A/C Condensator.
It runs the lenght of the Radiator but from my point of view I can only see one black metal tubbing line that seems to go underneath the tranny, I can't see where it actually connects to.
Now from the top looking down into the engine bay I can see the tranny lines going to and from the Radiator. The one on top in of a bigger diammeter than the lower line... Which one is the return line? and does the procedure needs to be done differently if there's a tranny cooler installed?

[12Ounce]

Per Haynes, the torque for those screws is 8 - 10 ft lbs ... I'd stay on the low end of that range. 10 NW is the usual value for that size screw .. that works out to "7 point something" ft lbs.

I believe the idea behind reducing the diameters thru coolers is to speed up the fluid velocity ... hopefully keeping particles suspended so they won't fall out in the cooler coils.

I can't help you just now on the part number for the filter ... but be sure you're ready for the difficult filter seal. I keep reusing the one that is stuck in the tranny body.

[phil-l]

If you have a *single* finned pipe, visible through the openings under the front bumper, that's the power steering cooler.

The OEM tow package has a similar finned arrangement with *two* pipes; one for power steering, one for the transmission.

Like 12Ounce, I reused the seal in the tranny. I decided it's a better move to risk the filter when wrenching the new seal off, rather than messing up the tranny trying to pry the old seal out.

[phil-l]

Regarding transmission lines: I had to work out which line was which when installing an auxiliary transmission cooler.

Looking at the transmission itself: The lower line is the transmission intake; the upper line is the transmission output.

I took some pictures when installing the cooler; this one tries to explain the lines:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2957...56340866KlSJSl

One advantage of adding a tranny cooler: Now I have a conveniently located hose and clamp that makes it easy to pump fluid out of the tranny. I find Ford's spiffy push-in plastic tube holders to be a pain.

[Ed_Strong]

Thanks to all of you a whole bunch, thats was a big help since I still don't own a repair manual for my Windstar and AutoZone.com don't have the repair manual online yet. I'll try to get the Chiltons book for it this weekend.

Power Steering Cooler go figure... Thanks phil-l for clearing that out. I do have a *single* finned pipe, visible through the openings under the front bumper, no wonder I could only see the line go under the tranny and not to it.
So the lower line with the smaller diameter is the one that needs to be disconnected to flush out the tranny and the top larger diammeter stays connected to circulate the old fluid thru, right...? Why does it seem so confusing to me, but I think I got it!

Thanks for the torque specs for those screws 12Ounce I'll follow your advice and stay withing the 8 - 10 ft lbs range and I'll probably keep the old difficult filter seal and keep reusing the one that is stuck in the tranny body like you all suggested, althought mine only has 33500 miles on it maybe the seal won't give me a hard time.
Thanks again for the help.

[wiswind]

I took several detailed pictures of the filter neck seal that sticks in the transmission....and what is involved in removing it. Once you have done it..and know that you are not hurting the transmission when you see the metal part of the seal...it is very easy to remove.

[Ed_Strong]

Well today I was able to do the tranny fluid flush and filter change and I would like to thank all of you who helped. The van runs and shifts so much better and it really responds better to throttle. I found out this van was running on Mercon/Dextron III and it felt really slugish and slow at accelerating, but now I can really tell the difference.
One thing tho... I used all 15quarts of MerconV and did not could not see the fluid change from the smelly, ugly dark colored Dextron III to the new MerconV, so I hope I was able to get all the old fluid out of the system, I think I must have done so.
By disconnecting the lower hose, drain and dropping the pan to replace the filter I got about 5-6quarts. Then after installing the new filter and pan and adding 6new quarts of MerconV, I flushed about 3quarts. Again added 3 new quarts of fresh fluid and got about 3quarts of old fluid out. And finished by adding 3 new quarts of fresh fluid and getting about 3 more quarts of old fluid out, so that must have taken care of the old stuff rite?
Thanks again for the help guys!