Lincoln/Mercury Repair: Transmission, vacuum seal, older cars

Question
I have a 1990 Lincoln and lately it was going into over drive a little rough not all the time but enough to cause concern, so as I trembled and try to find the right place I had him check it out and he said it wasn't that bad but I suggested that maybe to change the fluid and a new gasket and filter with Lucas additive would maybe help the situation, he did that but refused to put in the Lucas because he stated there wasn't any leaking, and doesn't like to flush older cars and use that additive to stop a leak that hasn't occured, he put some other brand it wa a smaller bottle WITH A GREEN TOP TO IT. i SAID ok; but it seem to work better when he did it, the filter was very dirty but the fluid was reddish and didn't smell burnt and odored. Just as he was done the mechanic walked in and said I need a transmission mount and a vacumm seal(whatever that is) and told me that would cost me to do both around $220 and that is a lot of money for me, I'm diSabled and live on a fixed income I try and keep regular maintence to insure longer car life but I will live and die with this car and I'm worried is he trying to scare me or do I need them and how could he determine this in the last minutes of the fluid change he was literally lowering the car down. What can I do besides getting a second opinion. I have such a bad taSTE WITH ALL OF THESE SHOPS THEY COULD CARE IF YOUR DIEING THEY WANT THEIR MONEY AND WILL DO THINGS THAT MAKE THE CONSUMER THINK THERE IS IMMINENT DANGER. pLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN LEAD TO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS?PLEASE ! tHANK yOU NO MATTER THE OUT COME. The car has 90,420miles on it,I use about 60-70-miles a week that is a 16 year old car.

Answer
Hi Leigh,

I am an 11 year experienced transmission guy and have been honored by the two largest transmission rebuilding chains in the country. I have worked on over 150,000 transmissions and to this day I have never heard of a vacuum seal in an AOD. Though, I am not familiar with the Lucas additive either. The additive he used was Lube Guard for Ford. Which would be ok if he put dextron 3 in your car and your car was a 1998 or newer. But earlier models don't need any additive. The green Lube Guard is used to convert Dextron 3 into Mercon 5. Your car was built 9 years before Mercon 5 was invented. The reason it worked better was just the fluid change, which you are lucky. Most times after a fluid change a vehicle will slip a few weeks later. I hope this doesn't happen to you. The transmisson mount in your car is about $15. It might be bad... if you hot rod your car frequently. Please do me a favor, because I want so badly to not see you get ripped off, and take your car to a Cottman Transmission shop. Dial 1-866-Cottman, dial one at the recording, then enter your zip. This will give you the nearest shop. They will diagnose your problem for free. If you are not satisfied with what they tell you, please call me directly at 1-702-878-1837 and I will do everything I can to make sure your car is repaired properly and at a fair price. I am a member of the Elks and our moto is Elks Care, Elks Share. I take this very seriously, I am here to help you my friend.