If it were me I would give this a try:
http://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Transmission-Fix-ATF-Conditioner/dp/B0002JMLUQ
It is not much money to try if he has already given up on the car, what does he have to lose. I have not used this product, but I have used the same brand power steering fix fluid...
I had to check again on the horsepower ratings, I had seen a Canadian rating for the 4.2 of 217 HP which threw me off. The U.S. rating is 202 HP. The 351 Windsor all through the 1980's made 210 horsepower in trucks. The High Output version in police cars made even less than that, about 180...
I have the 4.2 L V6 in my van and I am happy with it. I have an extra length van with a high top and it has plenty of power, if I floor it it really goes. This V6 has more horsepower than the old 351 V8 from the 1980's. Fuel mileage for me is excellent too, and I tend to feather the gas to get...
Another possibility is the slightly newer Ford V6. My van is a 2001 E250, extended length and high top, with a 4.2L v6 in it. It is a harder to find combination but they are out there. It moves the van just fine, don't have exact numbers but the mpg is pretty good.
I tried a bug zapper once. It was the normal sized plug in the extension cord kind that you hung up outside. Thought to leave it going to reduce mosquitos in the area around the yard. It worked for a little while but eventually so many got killed in it they literally clogged it up and it would...
Hmmm, what if you made a water tank out of one of those insulated 7 day coolers? They are supposed to keep things frozen a long time, maybe they would keep some water warm too for a couple of days?