Sorry for the long post but I need someone to smack some sense into me! I finally got my '53 Mainline out of the barn and into my heated garage so I could work on it this winter. The plan was to add PS and power brakes so I could actually go drive it and enjoy it. Power brakes are easy but PS is proving a PITA! I have the 215 I-6 with only 90k on the ticker. The motor has Barker hi-lift rockers, Offy intake with dual gl*** bowls and I have a custom stock mani welded up with dual outlets for a 4/2 split. So, keeping my 215 would be pretty trick. I was hoping to find bolt-on PS brackets but that isn't going to happen. I also have the 3 on the tree so would need overdrive too to do any highway driving. I have a T86/R10 out of a Merc already just needs to be installed. So ... the dilemma. It would be much more drivable with a 302/AOD or T5 not to mention the extra power. Prob is I was looking at the Butch's bolt-in kit and mine appears to be the '51 frame which means hacking up the floors for trans fitment and headers won't fit on this frame. I really don't want to cut sheetmetal! Of course I could fab stuff but I really don't have the equipment to cut & weld structural steel so I was hoping for bolt-on parts. Thinking now maybe just keep the 215 and find a 223/262 spare to stash away for a rainy day and maybe adapt a T5 or drop in the T86/R10 and call it a day. Other plans are 12V conversion, complete re-wire, Procar Cl***ic front buckets, Intellitronix gauges, Memphis hidden stereo, Mustang 17/18" wheels & tires. I don't care about keeping the car original or making it a show car. I want a driver that I can take to shows ... more of a 10 footer that is reliable. But I also don't want to hack up the sheetmetal either.
I vote to keep the 6 and put in a 3 speed OD. Of course I might be biased because I despise the 302/AOD modification.
Same car as my avatar. The grille is stock but I have the bullet delete insert in the middle. Can't remember where I got it ... I want to say ePay?
You are making it out to be more complicated than it actually is,click on this https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/faq-sticky.897329/page-3 and scroll down to posts # 86-88 you will see the 302/AOD swap in a '53 using this Butch's kit https://butchscoolstuff.com/52-53-ford-car-15-sb-ford- engine-transmission-mount-kit-2501cpb/ Butch's has some wrong info in his text the C4 is the transmission than needs a modification the AOD lines up with the stock transmission cross member seen in this picture. You also have an advantage in your swap since you now have a Six the radiator mounting is further forward which helps with the 302's length.
As far as Power steering goes you should read this: https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/35...l-safe-no-ebay-module-needed-pics-454530.html There are pictures of a '53 with the electric unit,big advantage is no pumps brackets,pulleys or hoses needed under the hood. Easiest unit to adapt is from the Saturn Vue.
I just now noticed those pics are the 15" kit also! That is good news since I see headers also! SO the AOD fits without hacking up the floor to make clearance? That is my major concern! Anymore pics of that swap in the sticky? I'd like to see full engine bay pics with all the accessories in place.
Is the car now a three on the tree ? The Ford-O-Matic cars have a slightly larger tunnel,I have helped a lot of guys through this swap here and in several facebook groups. If you car is now a stick shift you will probably do a floor shift conversion with the AOD or a T-85 so some minor metal work on the hump will be needed anyway,it not a big deal. I also recommend you do the early short water pump conversion with the 302 swap for more radiator clearance. This shows the early pump in a '53 notice the lower hose is on the p***enger side,1970 and later 302's are on the drivers side.
Yes, currently a 3 on the tree. I can't see the body being different between manual and auto. That is against everything Ford stood for. He even designed the parts in the 4-door model so the front and rear doors could share the same linkages and window regulators. I also thought that with the 6-cylinder having the radiator already forward that I did not need the short water pump? I really don't want to monkey around with new accessories, etc. I want a drop-and-go drivetrain minus maybe an oil pan swap to get the rear sump. I am thinking of buying a running vehicle that I know is running and driving for the donor. If I do the 302 swap, overdrive is a must, so now just down to AOD or T5. I ***ume the T5 will easily fit in the existing tunnel except cutting a hole for the shifter. Do you know of anyone that used the Butch's kit with a T5 and how it lined up on the trans crossmember?
This chart shows the specs of an AOD you want to look up T-5 specs that put measurement "C" in the same place https://www.tciauto.com/trans-dim#AOD " I want drop and go" that makes the AOD the easier of the two choices since you won't be fabricating a cable or hydraulic clutch linkage setup. You may not have to worry about a water pump change it depends on your donor engine and transmission and since you have a Six cylinder radiator mounting you are a step ahead. Best bet would be a 1989-93 car these have the AOD's with the lubrication upgrades and the improved valve body 1991-93's have the upgraded steel drum and are non-computer transmissions.These years also have the dual sump oil pan you need for your swap also 1987 and up are roller cam 5.0's aka 302's if you retain the factory fuel injection your donor will have the ECM and wiring harness for it,another "drop & go" plus.
While I was bored at work one day, and looking for a 302/AOD combo for my '53 Customline, I made this list: 91-93 Ford Thunderbird 88-92 Lincoln Mark VII 89-93 Mercury Cougar 87-93 Ford Mustang 87-91 Ford LTD Crown Victoria 87-91 Mercury Grand Marquis These are the years of 302 that came with the improved AOD, and correct oil pan. Hope this helps! (I wound up with a 302/AOD out of an '86 F-150, but I paid $150 for engine and trans as pulled, couldn't say no!)
Keep the 6. The 302/AOD swap is getting as mundane as the small block chevy swap. Put the T86 OD in and drive the heck out of it.
The initial cost of the adapter kit https://transmissionadapters.com/pages/product-result?rq=yr_ford~lo_223-261-straight-6~mk_ford-aod And you would still have to fabricate the throttle linkage and TV cable and shift linkage. You could probably get a good running 302/5.0 & AOD for less than the cost of the adapter kit and this: https://butchscoolstuff.com/52-53-ford-car-15-sb-ford-engine-transmission-mount-kit-2501cpb/
I have a 53 that I've had for 46years,it has 100,000 miles on it's 215 six.I put a overdrive in it once but took it out when I went to 12volts. It is full custom now and I have driven it on many 500 mile trips.It always did great, The only changes I made to the suspension was Aerostarr front springs which work fine.I'm now 79 years old so I do,t go as much, but it's been a great ride. I hope you enjoy your 53 as much as I have mine.
Where can i get the adapter kit for a 1953 ford customline now that butchscoolstuff is no more? donor car 92 Mercury Cougar 302/AOD
I was lucky to get a Butch's kit before they disappeared. I am sure someone can get a print made of the brackets? Nothing crazy, just a flat plate bolted to the engine, a universal engine mount rubber mount and brackets to bolt to the crossmember. Dump the 6 and run the V-8! Glad I did ... 6 is a DOG! AOD fit fine and went into existing crossmember. I did have to cut tunnel since I was a 3-speed but bent a speed limit sign to cover the hole.
All sounds like fun. Love the V-8 thing. On steering, would suggest you find a steering box that is quick as the ‘53 is very slow. Works good with EPS but being slow is a pain. A rack and pinion would be real nice and easy to navigate with EPS.
The Jalopy Journal
