Mercon and Mercon V ATF

[dcdyd]

I plan to change transfer case fluid tomorrow. It calls out for Mercon for 98 EB V8 5L for TS fluid. My question is can I use Mercon V instead of Mercon? If I can, then the further question is 'any benefit to use Mercon V instead of Mercon?' or Is Mercon V better than Mercon grade?

 

[SoNic67]

Mercon V is no question an improved fluid.
The issue was that at the beginning was NOT compatible with Mercon and Ford warned about mixing the two.
Latter, Ford changed the formulation of their Mercon V to be compatible with their Mercon and even issued a TSB to replace the Mecron with Mercon V in older transmissions. Ford doesn't even license Mercon anymore (from 2007).

Now... I don't know if that new formulation is the one used by others (Valvoline, Castrol, etc) and if their products are compatible with what you have in the transmission now. The new, compatible, Motorcraft has a red bottle.

http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?DID=6&Product_ID=3578&CATID=21
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=526269

 

[dcdyd]

I am going to drain the fluid out from the transfer case which I don't know what was put in. Can I just put in any fluid labeled as Mercon V compatible? The owner's manual calls out Mercon for transfer case fluid.

 

[SoNic67]

Ah, didn't notice the bit about transfer case. That is easyer because you can drain it better than the transmission itself.

I don't see why it won't work same or better...

 

[dcdyd]

THanks for the help!