I'm looking at options for dropping the fordomatic and replacing it with another auto ****** when I put the 312 in this winter. Right now at the top of my list is a AOD or a 700r4 . Yeah I know, but before you flame me for that you must know it is merely from a cost prospective. The AOD plus the adapter is $$$. Whereas a 700r4 will probably run about half as much with the adapter and the parts are cheaper and I know they can be bullet proof. However, if the 700r4 is going to nickel and dime me to death with other required changes whereas the AOD won't, then I will go with the AOD. I'd like to keep the column shift. The 312 will be a mild build. It's already bored .40 over and I want to keep it right there unless the engine shop says it needs to be bored again. I'm going to use Mummert's 265 or 272 cam, haven't decided yet. The heads are 5752-113 and they will get new 95# springs and new valves. The intake is a 3x2 edelbrock 573 with ??? carbs (no carbs yet) and exhaust manifolds. So I want to know what are you running or what have you run? What headaches and problems arose when you did the swap? What were your costs (if you want to share)? Any other thoughts? Thanks guys!
I am running a 302 & AOD, the AOD will sit perfectly on the '54-56 Factory crossmember you have a local rebuilder with some pretty good prices you may want to check out:http://reno.craigslist.org/aos/2538837193.html 1988 to 1993 AOD's are preferred for a build they have improved lubrication and valve bodies so make sure this is what you get.I would talk to Him and see if you can furnish the valve body using a TCI-436020 which is a constant pressure valve body,in most cases the regular valve body would be OK using a Lokar TV cable which plays nice with a regular 4 bbl setup your 3 X 2 could present a problem.TV cable adjustment is critical to both Ford and GM overdrives do it wrong or have it come out of adjustment can toast one within 10 minutes.B&M makes a column shift adapter so you can retain your column shift with the AOD . www.transmissioncenter.net has a complete adapter kit for a Y-Block to AOD swap with a good picture of it shown.If I were going with a GM overdrive the 2004R would fit better the 700R4 is larger and may present some clearance issues and require some sheet metal work.
Ford-O/FMX and when you are done you could pay for the tri power set up. That's meant as a funny, but it's not a bad way to go unless you plan on doing lots of highway driving, my stock AOD hardly ever gets in 4th on the local streets. I own one of each and each serves a purpose, just depends on how much money you want to spend. my thoughts Gerry
Jeff, thanks for the info (and the other craigslist link). Is there a way to identify these 88-93 transmissions so I know what I am getting? What about moving past the transmission? I know I will need a custom length driveshaft, but can I expect any other problems or changes? You mean what I don't spend on the first FMX I can spend on the second! There will be lots of highway driving! There's lots of regional shows across Northern Nevada I want to go to, including one in Austin, NV which is a 400 mile round trip. I would also love to go on the Tour of Nevada someday. That is a week long trip of 70-80 cl***ic cars. They go on different routes each year sometimes through Oregon, Idaho, or Utah and of course all across Nevada. The last 4 years my parents have gone they have averaged out to about 1,500 miles round trip.
Surprising how tough the FMX is. But if you are planing on that many highway miles the AOD will be worth the xtra work for your conversion. Gerry
You may be able to use your drive shaft there are two ways to go at it you will need a later C4 or AOD front yoke and a conversion U-Joint or the way I did it was to use a 1986 Crown Vic driveshaft which already has the correct front yoke and a rear conversion U-joint NEAPCO part#2-0291 which will bolt right up to your 54's rear,I had to have the shaft shortened 1 1/4" which was $65 to shorten and rebalance and press in the new U-joint.You will need to measure the shaft first before you shorten as that may vary with your swap,your local driveline shop will give you instructions on how to do that so they have the correct measurements.To get even more info on AOD's I recommend this site:www.clickclickracing.com after you join post your question on how to ID the year of the AOD Silverfox will know the codes.
I know everyone always says , If you are going to do a lot of highway driving to get an overdrive trans . Now answer this question , what did we all do with all the really high performance 400+ hp engines we use to run with 4:10 posi rears and we beat the hell out of those engines and they LASTED ! Yes it will be easier on your engine and so on but why do you have to have a overdrive trans ? Those engine were all built to take the abuse we put them through with a 3 speed , 3 speed w/OD , 4 speed which was my favorite , FMX , a C4 or C6 trans . So why not use a good C4 that will out last that engine and they are a dime a dozen , easy to fix and are very strong ! They use that C4 in drag racing all the time , so personally even with a lot of highway driving good built FMX or a C4 which is my choice and what I am using in my 55 Ford that has a well built 302 in it and YES I will beat the hell out of it too and it will last and hold up to all the driving that I will put it through ! Just get a good ole C4 and be done with it ! That's my choice in a strong auto trans , if not I take the 4 speed trans next ! Jim
The adapter kit for the C4 and the AOD is the same,but the biggest reason not to use the C4 is simple it's called MPG.The AOD is going to increase mileage by 3-4 MPG on the highway and the overdrive automatics have a lower first gear for a harder launch.Like Jim said they use the C4 in drag racing but then you are only traveling a 1/4 mile,if you checked out www.clickclickracing.com you will see Mustang SBF's running the 1/4 in the low 9's with AOD's.Back in the 70's & 80's when gas was way under $2 a gallon Turbo 350's,C4's,C6's were fine in todays world with gas over $3.50 a gallon having that overdrive gives you a little more play money for your project down the road.
You can get the complete adapter kit from John Mummert . Here is the link that shows everything about the kit . Good deal for the price . You can also see his new aluminum heads and the Sweet stroker kits for the Y block as well ! Jim http://www.ford-y-block.com/c4adapt.htm
In my 54 i have a 69 fmx with shift kit behine my 312. Has been in use for more than 8yrs and 50k plus miles. never had any problems. just my 2 cents on the subject.
The FMX was a good trans and was pretty strong too . Nothing wrong with them behind any Y block . Jim
No expensive adaptor, much easier, and can be a bolt in swap. Mine is about 6 years old and no trouble at all.
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