Anyone with a higher mileage AOD?

I have a personally rebuilt AOD that came from a 162K mile 1986 mercury marquis. I reused all the seals and just changed the clutch packs and have been running strong over a year. AOD's last forever! Just change the fluid/filter and you are all set.

If you already have the transmission in hand, it would be cheaper to go with a nice 3K stall = $350 (tci street fighter) and a shift kit = $70 like the transgo aod hp kit. That would really wake it up. Firm shifts and leaving in the bandband. Plus a rebuild kit is like only $70 + maybe $25 for a kevlar band. Just stacking drums and pulling snaprings (could be done with some sockets and a screwdriver to pry snaprings out). A hardened lockup shaft is nice but not necessary and getting that a+ servo for $150 will help the OD band last with higher gears.

Add all this up and its still less than a rebuilt stock T-5 for $800 or so and you'd still be missing cables, pedals and other conversion items. With 4.56 gears and all I listed above, I would easily overtake any t-5 equipped stock mustang. AOD's got a bad name from their really low stall stock converters and the mushy soft shifts.

Have fun!

My stock aod is on 162k and just starting to show signs of wear. I've considered the manual swap but think i'm gonna stay aod.

Crazypete, have any more specifics on those rebuild parts you mentioned? links, manuals, etc. I'll prolly be rebuilding mine in the near future and since you've been there already...

Dave

I like my AOD I only have 72K on it but it's cool, I just don't like the stock gears, I hear that alot to nice car,but would be nicer with a 5-speed it's like F**K that. I feel like saying have you gril ride with me whereing a short skirt and will see if she has more fun in my AOD or your 5-speed, becasue I only need one hand to drive

crazypete said:

I have a personally rebuilt AOD that came from a 162K mile 1986 mercury marquis. I reused all the seals and just changed the clutch packs and have been running strong over a year. AOD's last forever! Just change the fluid/filter and you are all set.

If you already have the transmission in hand, it would be cheaper to go with a nice 3K stall = $350 (tci street fighter) and a shift kit = $70 like the transgo aod hp kit. That would really wake it up. Firm shifts and leaving in the bandband. Plus a rebuild kit is like only $70 + maybe $25 for a kevlar band. Just stacking drums and pulling snaprings (could be done with some sockets and a screwdriver to pry snaprings out). A hardened lockup shaft is nice but not necessary and getting that a+ servo for $150 will help the OD band last with higher gears.

Add all this up and its still less than a rebuilt stock T-5 for $800 or so and you'd still be missing cables, pedals and other conversion items. With 4.56 gears and all I listed above, I would easily overtake any t-5 equipped stock mustang. AOD's got a bad name from their really low stall stock converters and the mushy soft shifts.

Have fun!

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Maybe i'm haveing a hard time understanding where you are comeing from, but isn't the T5 rebuild kit averaging $220- $250? I rebuilt my T5 and installed a new clutch for around $380, so maybe i'm missing your point.

Anyway, i'm guilty of saying the "if only it were a manual" as well. When I was looking for my mustang at first, I didn't even look at the ones with an auto shifter n the center console. There is nothing like haveing complete control over a vehicle, letting it rev to where you want it to, pushing in the clutch and throwing it in the gear you choose, being able to provide the wheels with more power than an auto, and just plain fun. Auto's, to each their own, have their own crowd. To me however, I don't find any enjoyment in just starting up a car, putting it in gear, then just move. There's nothing to it and there just isn't much fun in it when all you get to really do is sit back and relax and watch the scenery go by. If someone can tell me what is so fun and exciting about driving an automatic, please do (stating that it is in a fast car or one with a lot of horsepower doesn't count - that's a given).

It is more costly to go to an auto from a manual than vice versa. You would basically need a transmission obviously (which is a good excuse if you need a tansmission anyway), clutch, clutch cable, pedal, and maybe a different yoke or bushing of some type - not sure though. The great thing about manuals is that you don't need to build them up with an expensive torque converter, or a good shift kit or valve body, or stronger clutch packs. Either it works or it doesn't and a manual, when driven nicely, will run forever. The only thing that goes bad in them are the usual traits known to autos as well - bearings, the other is either the front of rear seal. Blocking rings and the clutch disc are about the only things that routinely wear out, everything else on the inside can seriously last forever - it's nothing but gears.

Either way, it's up to you and what would make the car more fun to drive or what would make you like your car even more because it fits your needs or tastes. Truth be told cars like these on the marketplace have a higher asking price for those with a manual gearbox as opposed to automatics and reasons for being that way is known by those that know what an exotic, sports, or musclear are all about. People want a 6 speed in a cobra or a ferrari or a porsche, not a minivan or a superduty truck - they just don't work for that atmosphere.

i like finding bolt-on 5speed cars in the staging lanes. cause they assume my aod car is a slug, but they find out quick i can beat them or stay right on there tail.

rsw007 said:

i like finding bolt-on 5speed cars in the staging lanes. cause they assume my aod car is a slug, but they find out quick i can beat them or stay right on there tail.

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I was reading your sig man, that's impressive! What sort of setup do you have? I have a 176k mile AOD, and it really is ****. The OD slips a bit (not bad, hasn't gotten worse in 4 years), the shifts suck, and it really is not a very "confidence inspiring" transmission, when I think about adding more goodies to the motor. Running 13's with an almost stock car WITH AN AOD makes me smile. How did ya do it man?

Logan

50k on original 87 motor !!

I used to be one of the 'if only it was a stick' guys myself. I bought an AOD car with plans to change it to a stick (have all the parts except the tranny). I started getting curious about the AOD because they seem to be getting popular with the racing crowd, so I looked into it a little more and was still undecided. I went for a ride in a friend's car with an AOD that has a Lentech Street Terminator vb and an Edge 3000 stall converter in it, otherwise stock. Felt like it could take on a 5-speed and be a pretty even match to me. Not even close to what the stock tranny felt like.

I liked it so much in fact, I decided to keep the AOD (for now?) and just ordered a Lentech Strip Terminator vb w/brake and I'm going to get a cheap TCI 3000 tall converter to get me by for now.

I'm hoping it will be fun and run as good (or better?) than a 5-speed!

Highway High said:

I was reading your sig man, that's impressive! What sort of setup do you have? I have a 176k mile AOD, and it really is ****. The OD slips a bit (not bad, hasn't gotten worse in 4 years), the shifts suck, and it really is not a very "confidence inspiring" transmission, when I think about adding more goodies to the motor. Running 13's with an almost stock car WITH AN AOD makes me smile. How did ya do it man?

Logan

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built tranny,converter and alot of suspension work

I went with an Art Carr full manual/transbrake, OD delete button, 3000 stall, lower gear ratio tranny. With 4.10 gears it is a blast. Almost went to T-5 swap but thought more about durability in the long run.

Having full manual valve body on my AOD is almost like a 5 speed without the clutch. I have to upshift and downshift all the time.

I'm actually in the process of doing a T-5 swap thanksgiving weekend. I thought about swapping to a Lentech for quite some time, but in the end I just couldn't afford it. The street terminator plus torque converter, with shipping was well over $2500. I just bought a 90 GT 5spd for $700. That was my main motivation for doing the swap. Besides, after driving both auto and manual muscle cars, I just think that I enjoy the manual better.

I believe it's truly personal preference. True, for bracket racing where consistency counts an auto is optimal. But it's really up to the driver, and what they want. imo.

97k on my untouched AOD. But man I cannot wait to get the shift kit installed. The car's my daily driver so I'm not looking to set the world on fire, but I know it's going to be alot more enjoyable once the shift kit and 3.73 goes in.

Shift kit makes a big difference, feeling the bang and hearing the chirp in every gear, 161K on it and not a single problem...was a little sluggish till I changed the Valvebody, I still don't get why people say the difference in power??? Gears don't increase HP and neither does the tranny. If it's the fun factor then fine but aod can be full manual. I can shift when I want to and not when I don't and really don't have to worry about messing up when it counts....Murphys law always gets me with everything. hahaha

mine has 150k and the 4th gear just went out. other than that its been real good to me