Lincoln VII AOD Trans Swap in 91 5.0

[89gt89]

Hi Everyone,

Well I'm all done w/my 2.3 to 5.0 swap. The donor engine and AOD came from a low mile 89 LSC while all the other bits and pieces came from an 89 GT (minus motor and trans). I knew the transmission was going to be about 1" longer and figured that would be the extent of the difference between the Mustang AOD and the LSC AOD. It turns out that the gear lever on the Lincoln AOD has a different shift pattern than the Mustang....double checked with the unit on my other 5.0. First, has anyone else ran into this issue and how did you remedy it? Second, are there any comparable AOD's from T-Birds etc that will be a direct replacement? Third, is the LSC AOD even worth keeping in my car given the shifter issue and the fact that I will have to shorten my aluminum driveshaft(it fits but allows no play at all)? Finally, I'm thinking it would probably be easiest to remove the engine and transmission as 1 unit in order to replace the AOD...any ideas??

 

[slow84lx]

You will need to have your driveshaft shortened the appropriate amount. The shift lever can be swapped from a Mustang AOD to the Lincoln transmission. I don't think it is a difficult swap.

 

[89gt89]

You will need to have your driveshaft shortened the appropriate amount. The shift lever can be swapped from a Mustang AOD to the Lincoln transmission. I don't think it is a difficult swap.

Unfortunately, the lever is a huge undertaking to replace. Has anyone put a Lincoln AOD in their 5.0 and managed to get the shiifter linkage to work thru all gears?

 

[slow84lx]

Unfortunately, the lever is a huge undertaking to replace.

I don't think so compared to what you have already done with the engine swap. Drop the transmission pan, pull the roll pin, take off the 13/16 nut, & pull the shift lever out. Replace with a shift lever from a Mustang in reverse order.

 

[89gt89]

I pulled the tranny. Shortening the driveshaft and switching levers would be more trouble than it's worth. Especially since I don't have a Mustang AOD to swap a selector from. It came out pretty easy but is much more difficult to remove than a 5spd. Back to the drawing board AOD or 5spd?

 

[1979stang]

I think it;s not the tranny .I got a new t-5 and its the same way its fits but no room two play. got take out 1'' to 1 1/4''

 

[89gt89]

I picked up a used AOD out of a 93 Mustang and measured it. Turns out that the Lincoln tranny is about an inch longer. Anyway, I popped the pan and took a look at the selector mechanism. I might have tried to swap it if I had a spare Mustang selector. Although, it would be a project that I would rather attempt while the transmission was out of the car. I found a very interesting surprise though when I pulled the pan of the Mustang AOD. I just about had a heart attack when I saw a round object with a one inch stem bobbing around in the fluid......the transmission must have had some work done to it at one time because it's a dipstick tube plug...doesn't look like it caused any damage as it's probably been in there for a while. We'll se tho when I get the car on the ground and take it for a spin. I'll post a pick of the plug when I get a chance. Maybe it's not a plug

 

[NIKwoaC]

I pulled the tranny. Shortening the driveshaft and switching levers would be more trouble than it's worth. Especially since I don't have a Mustang AOD to swap a selector from. It came out pretty easy but is much more difficult to remove than a 5spd. Back to the drawing board AOD or 5spd?

Sounds like it might be too late, but that is a no-brainer. Stock, T5 cars are typically about a half second faster in the quarter mile than AOD cars are.

 

[RYC CUKR]

I picked up a used AOD out of a 93 Mustang and measured it. Turns out that the Lincoln tranny is about an inch longer. Anyway, I popped the pan and took a look at the selector mechanism. I might have tried to swap it if I had a spare Mustang selector. Although, it would be a project that I would rather attempt while the transmission was out of the car. I found a very interesting surprise though when I pulled the pan of the Mustang AOD. I just about had a heart attack when I saw a round object with a one inch stem bobbing around in the fluid......the transmission must have had some work done to it at one time because it's a dipstick tube plug...doesn't look like it caused any damage as it's probably been in there for a while. We'll se tho when I get the car on the ground and take it for a spin. I'll post a pick of the plug when I get a chance. Maybe it's not a plug

Actually if that plug is in there that probably means that no one ever did any work to that AOD, including a filter change. That plug is put into the dipstick tube hole during transmission assembly and when they insert the dipstick tube they just push the plug into the pan. Since the plug was still in the pan it has probably never even had the fluid changed.

 

[slow84lx]

Actually if that plug is in there that probably means that no one ever did any work to that AOD, including a filter change. That plug is put into the dipstick tube hole during transmission assembly and when they insert the dipstick tube they just push the plug into the pan. Since the plug was still in the pan it has probably never even had the fluid changed.

I was about to type the same thing. If the AOD was working good before removal from the Lincoln you might be ok for a while but plan on a rebuild not too far down the road.

Yes, the Lincoln unit should be an inch longer than the Mustang unit. Some people believe the extra length is better for performance applications as it lends a little more stability to the driveline by requiring a shorter driveshaft.