I have been planning on trying to use the original column shifter (automatic) with an AOD ******. When I told my son this he gave me a resounding '' WHAT !'' Now I am having second thoughts and am considering a Gennie floor shift. That should give me nice crisp detents and reverese lockout. The detents are as you know, not only in the transmission but also in your shifter. I have worked on the column shifter some to try to get the detents to match the ****** but it's like working on a watch.An old worn one to boot. Anyone using a column shift with a later model transmission? This car will be leaning toward the custom side, not looking for complete originality. I know it was common to get the shifter off the column with manual ******s, what about automatics?
I put an AOD in my ‘53 and used an auto shift column. With the detents strong in the AOD and detents non existent in the column shift except for Low, Reverse and Park lockouts, the trans detentents are sufficient. Getting the Shift Dial Indicator to line up was another matter. To solve this problem, I had the local plastic shop cut one and engrave it so the dial was in sync with the trans. Cost me $25 but well worth it. I used colored pencils to highlight the engravings. I am very happy with the column shift and have lots of room. Oh, I used the Lokar shift linkage kit. Another thought, if you have greater than a 3.50 rear end, you will have to attend to the errant shifting which can be handled by installing a kit from Summit. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-aod-hirev It is an easy install and works great.
YW. I was really disappointed with the shifting and lack of. If I remember correctly, my rear end is a 3.90. Wouldn’t change the rear end gears in a 53, rather change to a later model rear end which is stronger. So to avoid changing the rear end, I just changed the governor in the AOD.
This should help you guys with the installation http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?15311-transmission-AOD-Governor-swap
Check out this page on my blog....it shows what I did with my AOD and a stock automatic column. I've been using it for a few years and it works great and has a nice stock feel. https://mainlineford.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/new-improved-shift-linkage/
Did you do this along with using the Transgo shift kit? If not then I ***ume it worked as you expected. The instructions say it is intended to use with the shift kit.
I had same question and asked Transgo. They said I didn’t need the shift kit so I did not use it. Everything worked as expected. Transgo does not sell the Governor alone any longer. It is included in their kit. Summit has a very small supply left. Get it while you can at the low price.
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