Is AOD the way to go?

[andrewmp6]

Yeah the 4r70w is better made but it will cost you more and the trans cross member will have to be made custom no one makes them yet.The aod is ok if you build it up a tiny bit and get that tv cable prefect.Look at http://www.transmissioncenter.org/cl...conversion.htm they carry all the small stuff you might need.The aod must come from a v8 the 4r70w must be from a v6 happy hunting.

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[LCC]

The AOD is a good trans that was made for crusin..As long as you don't make over 450 HP and don't have a set of slicks on you'll have no problems. The weekest link is the center shaft on them, too small. The conversion is easy but you will have to use a AOD converter, TV cable, trans mount form any mustang store (NPD, Ron Morris, Mustangs Plus, etc.) and a shortenned drive shaft, most truck shops can help you with this. You can keep the 3:70 because the the AOD has a steep first gear.

[jspagna1]

Originally Posted by urban_cowboy

3.70 gears are pretty steep for a cruiser. That is more drag race hotrod territory. I would start with putting in highway gears (3.00-3.50) and tuning your engine. I have 3.50 gears that turn 3300 at 70mph.

I am not a big fan of AOD trannys in hotrods, but that is an option. EFI, which is more fuel efficient is also an option. Gears and a tune would be MUCH cheaper and easier though.

Agreed, a 67 covertible definitely sounds like a cruiser. The AOD route or EFI route is definitely going to be more costly. I would also go with a gear change. I think a good comprimise for what you are describing would be a set of 3.25's. That would be a good all around gear and you will have the best of both worlds!(Cruising & Speedability)

[nassaubayman]

I"m new to AOD transmissions, so I don't know the lingo.... what's a TV cable? Is that something that gets better reception on the boob tube?

[andrewmp6]

The tv cable is kinda like the old kick down cable it hooks up to your crab/throttle body.It lets the tranny know how much you got the throttle opened.

[urban_cowboy]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

The tv cable is kinda like the old kick down cable it hooks up to your crab/throttle body.It lets the tranny know how much you got the throttle opened.

Yep. From what I have read, it does much more than the old kickdown cable. It helps control the internal tranny pressures which aid in shifting, shift timing, and gear selection. Setting it wrong or having a improperly functioning TV cable will destroy the tranny or at least cause you shifting problems.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by nassaubayman

I"m new to AOD transmissions, so I don't know the lingo.... what's a TV cable? Is that something that gets better reception on the boob tube?

IIRC, the "TV" is short for Throttle Valve, and it does pretty much what cowboy said it does. There is an adjustment procedure for it, but it didn't seem to be overly complicated and there is a little tolerance on the exact setting (you'll probably tinker with it a click or so either way). However, there can be clearance issues with at least some headers, and the TV cable must get absolute priority. A guy I know didn't believe me, hooked up his 1960's-original kickdown rod to the AOD, and burnt the tranny up inside of a hundred miles. Absolutely avoidable.

If you can weld or know somebody who does, you ought to be able to get the existing tranny crossmember to work for the AOD without a whole lot of work. When I swapped a TBI 5.0/AOD into my daughter's '66 I know I didn't buy anything special there, though I seem to recall having to tinker with the P-brake mechanism a little. Even the selector mechanism could be aligned acceptably well without too much trouble (my recollection is getting a little fuzzy on some of this stuff, as it's been about 15 years).

Personally, I'd prefer having the extra "gear". You don't have to give up the "sparkle" that the 3.70's give you in order to get a more relaxed cruise and better mpg, nor would you end up wanting a looser (read: less efficient) torque converter to help "crutch" taller gears.


Norm

[urban_cowboy]

Personal story.

I hate my AOD in my 88 Bronco. The shifts are clunky from 3rd to OD, even with a shift kit, and OD is a pig (.67:1). I have in the plans to move from a 3.50 to a 4.10 rearend to combat the OD gearing. I have had three trannys in it since I have owned it, and they all work about the same. They run totally from pressures (no electronics) and are the first real OD tranny Ford had. They are somewhat crude, so keep that in mind.

I did tinker with the TV cable not long ago and got it performing much better. It will now hold 3rd gear when it should and downshift when it needs to. FWIIW, I understand they work much better in a lighter vehicle where torque is not a big issue. My point is, they are not your Ford Fusion's electronic OD tranny. Shift kits do help and allow for manual shifting when you want to get sporty. Matching your torque converter to your motor's operating range does help. Getting the TV cable adjusted right is a must.

I say these things not to deter you, but to set your expectation. Once my expectations were set right, I liked my AOD better, but still would not say it is the bomb digity.

When you are ready to pull the trigger, you may consider a Jasper Engines built crate AOD. They are MUCH better than you will find at most tranny shops. You can even get them with a shift kit installed.

[nassaubayman]

There's a guy selling an AOD and torque converter out of a '92 Mustang 5.0 LX for only $125. He converted to a 5 speed. PATC sells an AOD conversion package for $559 that is supposed to include everything I'll need for the conversion. I should be able to have the transmission serviced and still do the entire swap for $1000 or less.

Spending $125 for a transmission is far more appealing than a couple grand for a crate transmission. Is there a difinitive reason I SHOULDN'T pick this one up?

[65Rocky]

I just did the AOD and love it, find a AOD with the shifter pointing up, and A crossmember, TV cable, 1 inch shorten drive shaft, and flexpate you will love it.
keep the gear. I still need to change mine 2.80 to 3.80 is my plan