AOD Swap in 66 Fairlane

Im contemplating swapping my current C4 for an AOD. I just replaced the center chunk in my 8" witha 3.40 ratio, and the car definately needs an overdrive. Not horrible, but for cruising on the freeway any distance, I would need it. My Fairlane has a 302 (72 year) in it. Anyways, I have a few questions (of course). One - is here a certain AOD that I should look for from any certain donor car? Should I try to find one from a Mustang 5.0, or can I use just about any AOD?

Secondly, I've heard of issues with driveshaft length, and wondering if a certain model from any certain donor cars be of the right tailshaft length so I don't have to shorten my current drive shaft. Will a driveshaft from a C4 setup even fit, or are the tailshaft gears different so the splines won't line up?

Will I need to change flexplate at all? I think I recall reading in the AOD swap tech article that the tranny mounts aren't an issue, but I need to verify that.

Hope these don't sound like dumb questions, but I sure don't want to go out and buy just any ole AOD and find out it doesn't even fit. This is probably going to be a winter project, so I want to do the research now and get the parts together over the next few months.

Any thoughts/assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Originally Posted by walaby

Im contemplating swapping my current C4 for an AOD. I just replaced the center chunk in my 8" witha 3.40 ratio, and the car definately needs an overdrive. Not horrible, but for cruising on the freeway any distance, I would need it. My Fairlane has a 302 (72 year) in it. Anyways, I have a few questions (of course). One - is here a certain AOD that I should look for from any certain donor car? Should I try to find one from a Mustang 5.0, or can I use just about any AOD?

Secondly, I've heard of issues with driveshaft length, and wondering if a certain model from any certain donor cars be of the right tailshaft length so I don't have to shorten my current drive shaft. Will a driveshaft from a C4 setup even fit, or are the tailshaft gears different so the splines won't line up?

Will I need to change flexplate at all? I think I recall reading in the AOD swap tech article that the tranny mounts aren't an issue, but I need to verify that.

Hope these don't sound like dumb questions, but I sure don't want to go out and buy just any ole AOD and find out it doesn't even fit. This is probably going to be a winter project, so I want to do the research now and get the parts together over the next few months.

Any thoughts/assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Mike,
don't even think about using any AOD before 1988 and if you can get a 93 AOD you will be miles ahead. Full size Fords are the AODs that are preferred and you will need a new crossmember/tranny mount or at least modify the one you have. Your driveline may or may not be OK - there are two output shaft lengths and two ODs on the yokes. You will need a Lokar throttle pressure cable kit and the brackets to mount it. You will need a flexplate (flywheel) that has 164 teeth and the block plate that matches it (relocates the starter). Your starter should be fine. You need to fill it with Mercon V fluid (updated from Mercon).
If it were me, (I like extra protection) I would swap out the OD servo for an "A+" servo and put a TransGo AOD-HP shift kit in it to make it live as long as possible. I would also add the largest transmission cooler I could find and connect it in series with the radiator cooler.

I think that about covers the basics - good luck.

Thanks Paul.. I appreciate the input. I will start my search for an AOD after 88, and preferably 93. If I source a donor car, I'll take the driveshaft as well, so at least I will have a yoke that fits.

Thanks for the info for sure!

Mike

I did that swap in my 68 mustang, I believe the link below will help you...

http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/tra...12-c4-aod.html

Good luck!

With a 3.40 to 1 differential ratio you sure would have some top end with that set up. Your final drive ratio is going to be 2.27 to 1 with that AOD.

Larry

Musclepony - Saw your tech post awhile back. It has definately helped me. I musta read it 10 times, and everytime I see a reply, I try to read it. I am just leery about what differences I'll run into with the 'lane, vice Mustang. It will be an interesting adventure. The TV cable worries me the most, but your explanation seems pretty straight forward.

jrdufresne - Im hoping I'll be happy with the setup when Im all done. Im sure right now Im not going to be pleased when I take it out on the freeway, heading to carshows. I love it around town, but ain't had it over 55 yet.

I figure I'll take the wife with me the first time I hit the freeway and once it drives her crazy, she'll be begging me to fix it. Then, of course, the "only real fix" is the AOD.

Walaby,

Sorry I haven't reposted. Been a while since I have been on FM. My wagon just purrs down the freeway at about 1900 rpm when in 4th. I am running a 3.70 ratio in my set up. When I am pulling my trailer I don't use 4th. I don't want to burn up the transmission. I do notice a bit more rpm at 60 when pulling.

Larry

Originally Posted by walaby

Musclepony - Saw your tech post awhile back. It has definately helped me. I musta read it 10 times, and everytime I see a reply, I try to read it. I am just leery about what differences I'll run into with the 'lane, vice Mustang. It will be an interesting adventure. The TV cable worries me the most, but your explanation seems pretty straight forward.

jrdufresne - Im hoping I'll be happy with the setup when Im all done. Im sure right now Im not going to be pleased when I take it out on the freeway, heading to carshows. I love it around town, but ain't had it over 55 yet.

I figure I'll take the wife with me the first time I hit the freeway and once it drives her crazy, she'll be begging me to fix it. Then, of course, the "only real fix" is the AOD.