Hello, I was just hoping to get some thought on how many auto trannys fit and work the best for the 289 that I got for my 51 coupe. Thank you very much, Bill
You should be able to find a decent C4 that'll bolt right up to that engine for not too much. Flatman
C4 is an excellent choice; strong enough, inexpensive enough, compact, light, available. AOD is another good choice. A little bigger, heavier, and more expensive, but with the advantage of a tall OD fourth gear. Definitely sensitive to the throttle position linkage, however, where the C4 not so much so. Small block C6 transmissions are hell for stout, but big, heavy, and use a lot of power to turn. Probably not my choice, unless going into a truck that will tow regularly. And, just to make the process simpler, if you have an early 289, with the five bolt bellhousing pattern, you are mostly limited to option one (C4).
A C4 would be my choice. They take a lickin and keep on tickin! I've had several and only had trouble with one of them, after the Ford garage screwed it up. So much for "Factory Trained Service"!
yup...c4 is great. AOD is great if you get one from a carb early to mid 80's vehicle...no dealing with tv cable then and usually same exact length as c4.
BillJ: The early 289's had a 5 bolt bellhousing pattern. It changed in 66[?] to 6 bolts. Count your bolts before buying a trans. Matt
I havent used it yet, but i have an FMX trans behind the 351 cleveland i want to chuck in my model A project. I understand these transmisions are heavy, but does anyone know by how much are they heavier than the c4?
I've used several different Ford automatics, C4, C6, FMX and AOD. But I would say, go with an AOD, just because of that extra gear. Not so simple to adjust, but well worth the hassle, especially with todays gas prices.
Although this trans is reliable it is not meant to be put behind anything with HP..............also weighs about 75lbs more than the C4..............it has a cast iron case and aluminum bellhousing/tailshaft and looks a lot like the Fordomatic that was used since 1951 and Borg-Warner BW8/BW12, but almost none of the parts are interchangeable. Was used from 68/81...........68 was kind of cross-over year where the Fordomatic was used in some vehicles for part of the year before changing over to the FMX............Gear ratios are 2.40 in 1st gear, 1.47 in 2nd, 1.0 in 3rd and 2.2 in reverse The C4 is smaller/about 75lbs and gear ratios are 2.46 in 1st, 1.46 in 2nd, 1.0 in 3rd and 2.18 in reverse.
'64 and earlier 289s had the 5 bolt bellhousing. I'd also go for the AOD, if you are starting from scratch. Gas won't be getting any cheaper. Malcolm
ive got a C-5 in my 51 and i love it. stands up well to lots of horses and they are a little harder to find but worth it. its the same size as a C-4 but the dipstick is in the pan and not the case. plus you can take it off of the bell housing and bolt it up to other bell housings to fit other ford motors.
As a side note, the C4 was used in 65/80 (and the bellhousing can be taken off the trans to fit adapters for other motors such as the 4.6L OHC V8's an can be built to take over 700HP) and the C5 (which had a lockup torque converter and NOT to be confused with the C4 with the dipstick tube fastened to the pan which many people called a C5 when in fact it was just another version of the C4) was used in 81/86. Ford also made a fully manual version that they called a Semi-automatic or C4S and used it in some 4cyld Falcons. The C5 uses a centrifugal mechanism at the torque converter that is engaged in any gear at higher (cruising and above) engine speeds. The C5 began production in 81 and superceded the C4 in 82...........the only difference was the lock-up converter and was replaced with the AOD in 87.
I vote C4 as well. If you're a Chevy guy you can equate the C4 to the T350 and the C6 to the T400 as well as the AOD to the 700R4. Thats the way I put it in perspective sometimes.
A C4 takes the least amount of HP (parastic drag) to make it operate...................is the smallest auto trans (without the factory bellhousing) and is the lightest auto trans........and can be made to perform under 700HP loads and stay alive........................by far the best auto trans out there for hot rods (unless you want the AOD with overdrive)..................the reason I put a C4 behind my flathead and a quick change behind the trans..............so I can have 3.08's for cruising on the highway.......................then 15 minutes later have 5.38's for some serious burnouts and fun with those Chevy V8's..................in the 1/8 mile.
NOTE: A car C-4 has the bellhousing attached with the front pump bolts and the dipstick goes in through the top of the case itself. A truck/pickup C-4 has the bellhousing attached with its own bolts. The front pump is attached seperately, making them somewhat stronger. Also, the dipstick goes in through the side of the pan. They are all aluminum, light weight and can be beefed up for bigblocks and live under 700HP (as mentioned previously). NOTE: AOD's are really cool, but have 1 drawback. The input shaft is very small diameter due to the way the torque converter is built (Needing lock-up capability). I steer away from them in extreme HP situations where the tires can get a good bite......Crusin and occasional spurts is OK. (Ex FORD employee)
If the block casting number starts with a: C3 or C4 it a five bolt block. C5, C6, are six bolt blocks
Looks like the choices are well covered. I have a 302 (w/ 3 Holley carbs) powered 32 Hi Boy with an AOD 3.50 rear combo. 22 mpg on the open read. My 66 Mustang has a 289 C4 combo. Love to drive this car. If I was to choose between the two I would go with the AOD. Fuel economy and performance.
Early AOD's have some relability issues,there are mods you can do but the best are the 88-92 models they are non-computer and have the bugs out of them.The Lincoln MK's and Mustang HO's are the best to look for,lots of good info on the Ford Transmission forum also.
The AOD, with a few specific tweaks, is the best non-computer controlled tranny Ford ever made. Another option, put computer controlled, is the 4R70W. But I'd go with the AOD if I were you. As far as input shaft is concerned you have two choices. You can go to a 1 piece input which elliminates lock-up or you can go with a hardened 2 piece setup. I'd do the latter.
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