C4 to AOD swap

[XXBULLETSXX]

As the title mentioned, I'm thinking of swapping my C4 with an AOD. However, someone mentioned to me that an AOD won't fit in my 66 because the bellhousing is too large. Does anyone know if this is true?

If an AOD will fit, what sort of modifications have to be done to make one fit? what would be the difficulty level of doing this swap.

 

[Az Pete]

It will fit. Just have to get the right year to stay away from the elec. shifting unless you go to the full computer. You need to match the flywheel with the harmonic balancer. Both to be 50 oz. I believe. Drive shaft yoke gets cut 2". Shifter is close, no "kick down lever" but you have a TV lever or cable. If AOD came from a column shift, most likely needs to have this TV lever flipped up by dropping the valve body and reinstalling it. Other than that, it is a heavy tranny to change. I have a 302 and the AOD out of a '85 Lincoln Town Car in my '66 Coupe. Love it. By the way, the 302 is the same bolt pattern as the later 289. I think the early 289 had one less bolt in the bell housing.

I am not sure if I got all the changes correct but it gives you the general idea. (age is creaping up on my memory) Go for it as it is not that bad.

 

[5.0ina66]

The modern motors that came with an AOD were 50oz balance, whereas your 289 is 28oz balance. A flexplate from an 80s 351W/AOD equipped car is 28oz and AOD correct, for $45 Otherwise I think Azpete has it nailed.
HTH
--Kyle

 

[roan65]

need to change out the tranny cross member as well. I used a Windsor-fox unit in mine, but I believe they went out of business. Might check with Ron Morris Performance..

 

[XXBULLETSXX]

Thanks everyone! I now have a lot to think about.

Now it's up to me to figure out what I can afford to do with my tax return! Wish me luck.

:SNSign:

 

[12sec67]

there is nothing better than going through 1st, 2nd, 3rd... and hitting that 4th gear O/D for the first time.


i remember it as if it was yesterday

 

[XXBULLETSXX]

Will an AOD bolt up to my 65 289?

What is this "TV" thing you're talking about?

What years AOD should I be looking for (no electronic shifting)?

What do you mean by the shifter is close? Close to what?

How difficult is this swap?

Sorry for all the questions but you guys said some things that were totally over my head. Thanks for the help!!!

 

[5.0ina66]

1) Yes
2) Throttle valve cable....throttle position controls shifting thru this cable, VERY VERY VERY important!
3) 82-93
4) Someone else answer that
5) Not at all IMO

 

[Edbert]

The 289/302 owners are having some trouble with long tube headers fitting with the larger bellhousing on the AOD. They fit fine with my C4 to AOD swap because I have a 351W.

Other than that the AOD bolts right up to the block (I needed longer bolts since the casting is thicker), and no tunnel mods were necessary. There are a different number of teeth on most AOD flexplates, so make sure your starter is the right gear for the teeth.

The TV cable tells the trans where the throttle position is so it can shift correctly, the C4 used a vaccum modulator to do this. The TV cable hooks up between the carb linkage and the shifter input shaft on the trans. You can buy a trick new one from Lokar or reuse one from a junkyard as long as it is long enough.

Some folks find they have to use a shorter driveshaft, I also swapped out my 8" for a 9" so I did have to change. It is a good excuse to get an aluminum driveshaft, or CF if you have the bankroll.

 

[Jester67]

What is the deal with adjusting the AOD kick down to keep it from burning up the transmission that I have heard about? I am thinking about doing the same thing. The C4 I have in my car works ok but leaks like a mother and needs work and I can’t help but dream about the addition gear. Truth is I won’t a manual but she is a GTA and am having trouble with the decision to change that.

 

[65mistress]

So in theory, if you have an 8" rear, you won't need to shorten the drive shaft? I've been toying with the idea of fitting the AOD in my 65, I have all the stuff to swap it over from C4 to 5spd, but I don't know if I really want to do all that shifting in CA traffic.