AOD transmission in our FE!

[verdejor]

just bolted in my AOD transmission!!!! waiting on the lokar TV cable so I can take it for a spin!

Got tired of no overdrive. felt it was missing something.
I KNOW some will shun upon modifications, but it pays off going to shows afar or long trip somewhere. I prefer to enjoy my car rather than putting it on a trailer to drive it around town.

pics to come. (can't find phone)

[birdzilla]

Good form! I agree the early 'birds need another gear. Did you use an adapter or one of the AOD's with the integral bell taken off and an aluminum FE bell housing bolted on?

[verdejor]

I used bendtsen adapter plate. was able to use stock driveshaft. Only issue was that the transmission mount even with turning the aod mounting plate around, was off about 2 inches anyways. I had a set of leaf spring lowering shackles and cut 2 pieces of metal to mate to the stock mount. works perfect for it. Hopefully tomorrow I get my TV cable.

I used a lokar tranny gear selector shaft and column shifter rod, new tranny hard lines...next thing is new exhaust. will post pics when I get it on a lift after exhaust is done.

[birdzilla]

Sounds solid. I've heard good things about that adapter. Keep the progress posts coming.

[birdzilla]

Is the 'Bird running?

[Cdhowell]

Also interested in doing this what was the donor for the AOD? Cant wait to see pic's.

[verdejor]

sorry, I haven't used the thread in a bit.

I used the tranny out of my dad's van since it was just rebuilt (then his engine blew)--1986 Ford Econoline with the 5.0L engine. I recommend using an AOD from a later model since I have read they are better (don't quite remember why)
Since then, I moved the engine forward 1.5 inches and used a 57" aluminum drivesahft from a Crown Vic cop car (Cut the nose shaft about 1 inch) --no bumps/hits on the tranny or other issues from it.

Note: you will need a lokar column kit which will require you to change out the gear selector shaft and replace it with the one in the kit...it includes the parts needed to connect to your steering column. SO you get two things out of this:
1- Overdrive
2- No more concern about car coming out of gear
---you should get the starter safety switch cable from donor tranny also and you will eliminate the switch under your column --your choice.

Next thing is to buy a Powerjection Unit for fuel injection and then I'm going to Supercharge it (I'm using stock rebuilt heads). YES, some will say to buy some new heads but weighing the options/differences, I may as well go supercharge it and maybe someday if I get greedy I will bolt some newer heads to it.

The car again is not running due to mock-up of things to come. Repainting car again to blue (I got issues)

thanks!