AOD Transmission
 

I was wondering if I put an AOD transmission in my 53 Ford Victoria do I need to change the gearing in the rear end? I now have a 3 speed on the column with overdrive, will the engine run at the same rpm with AOD as it does with the 3 sp with od?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

It all depends on what percentage the O/D is between the two. Some one here should be able to give you both figures.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

You will most likely be very close. AOD overdrive is .67. Borg Warner is at .7. At highway speeds, you might notice a slight difference in RPM over the original.

This link is where I got the BW overdrive info.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/overdrive.htm

Re: AOD Transmission
 

You should be fine as long as your AOD is in good shape and doesn't slip.

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The AOD works well behind the flathead, as the lock up is provided by the trans, not an outside sw like on the 700R4. The throttle position rod is a bare to adjust. Now the AOD requires more HP to operate, so behind a stock engine some performance may be lost.
The block must be modifie to install the late starter. Much easier if the block is out of the car.

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Would I better off with the fordmatic transmission? I would also have to change rear end.

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With the Fordomatic, you'll love the Overdrive function

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Don't go with the old Ford-o-matic! It will turn your car into a slug! Unless you floor the gas pedal or pull the shift lever into manual Low, they start out in 2nd gear. They are 1940's technology-good for the time but now antiquated. (I think Kahuna meant to say you will lose the overdrive function, not 'love').
I say keep what you have. A properly functioning manual overdrive was the best transmission of the day. It gave you both the best performance and the best gas mileage of any combination available from the factory. You have 4.11 gears for acceleration and passing, and an effective ratio of 2.87 in overdrive for economy-best of both worlds. Remember, this was the time before Interstates, so you did a lot of passing on two lane highways, with oncoming traffic. So the kickdown feature was great! Just floor the gas, and you automatically went from the 2.87 ratio to the 4.11 ratio, that flathead woke up and you made the pass without a head-on collision!
I guess if you don't like to shift, however, the AOD would be the choice.

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I have c4 with 2.78 Granada rear-end and its great I run 70mph .
The c4 is about the smallest you will find and will take more hp then the flathead .

Re: AOD Transmission
 

I've done several AOD to Flathead setups in custom customer chassis. I used the complete Speedway conversion with good results. These were in 32 and 33/34 chassis and we ran 3.70 rear gears.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Generally speaking, an OD equipped vehicle will have a lower gear ratio than a vehicle with a standard three speed or auto trans. The 2.78 mentioned in contribution #9 is way to high for an OD.
I have an AOD, 2004R in my '49 Olds 88 with a 3.43 gear ratio, works great. Have a 4L60 in a '64 Chevy, also with 3.43's, runs at 2,000. rpms @70 mph. My '39 Plym conv has a 700R4 with 3.26 gears..
My brother had a '54 Chevy with 350/350 eng/trans and 2.78 gearing, ran good then he put a 2004R trans in it, which I told him not to do if he did not intend to re-gear the rear end. The car will not run in OD below 70mph..
The C4 and it's AOD cousin is an excellent trans if it is properly rebuilt. I have a friend that is a Buick guru, he replaces the old Dana-Flows with either a C4 or the AOD version.
Actually the old three speeds w/OD's work great.. The free wheeling feature allows shifting without the clutch once the vehicle is underway.

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Your gear ratio will be fine with an AOD.

I am putting in an '91 AOD in my '53 soon which has a modified flathead. With my 3.90 rearend, (this car originally had a 6 cyl with a standard 3 speed) an AOD, (.67 final ratio in OD,) & 28" tires I will turn 2085 RPMS. I did put in an original 53 OD and it works just turns the engine a tiny bit faster as the aod final ratio is .67. I will use a 2200 stall speed torque converter. I should do pretty good price wise by the time I sell the current OD and all parts needed to install it in a V8.


I will use Speedway adapter and '53 auto column which I have. Also will keep the stock 3.90 rearend for now.

When done, my wife will also have a driver.

Please let me know how you progress.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

What flex plate is used wih an AOD for a flathead. Is it the 164 tooth 20 oz or the 164 tooth 50 oz? Part number or application?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

[QUOTE=blucar;1153677
My brother had a '54 Chevy with 350/350 eng/trans and 2.78 gearing, ran good then he put a 2004R trans in it, which I told him not to do if he did not intend to re-gear the rear end. The car will not run in OD below 70mph..
[/QUOTE]

Interesting, my TPI'ed 350 with 700 R4, will go into OD at 35-ish MPH with 2.77's in the rear, yes TV cable is adjusted properly I wonder what your brothers issue was/is?

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Will a cruise rpm of 2085 work with a 2200 rpm stall converter?
Martin.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

The AOD install in my 53 is done. Love it and was not difficult. 3.90 rear end works fine so would a 4.11. Speedway adapter worked perfectly and grinding the block for starter clearance was not an issue. Used a 54 auto column because I could not find a 53. Minor mods made it like a 53. Used Lokar levers and linkages which made job a lot easier and very clean. Having a plastics shop making a shift indicator dial that properly matches the AOD movement. Cut the center crossmember out to facilitate installation and welded on tabs to reinstall it with bolts. Made a trans crossmember out if rectangular tube and used a single bolt Ford transmission mount. Having a speedo cable made and job will be complete. I bought a used Speedway adaptor and had to get a new flexplate. Used a new Econoline 6 cylinder, internally balanced flexplate which only cost $35. Local tranny guy adjusted the all important throttle pressure. Spent $184 modifying and balancing the driveshaft. Installed a Summit trans cooler up front with steel lines.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Thanks for the update!

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Ardun, what did it take to mount the Econoline flexplate to the flathead crank?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Good question! Speedway makes a crank adaptor and spot welds it to their flexplate. Since I had their flexplate with the adaptor for a C4, I broke the spot welds, removed the adaptor, positioned it on the Econoline flexplate and drilled new holes bolting each hole after it was drilled to assure perfect alignment. There is no need to spot weld the adaptor to the Econoline flexplate since the crank bolts go through it to the crank.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Another flexplate picture. Important to note that an "internally balanced" flexplate must be used. Otherwise, the engine will be ruined from vibration.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Ardun what body style is your 53?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Custom line 2 dr. Sedan

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Here is engine

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I'm normally not much of an Ardun fan, but that is nice looking for sure.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

�� Thanks...They are a lot of work to build. But, nice when done. Oh yea, EXPENSIVE!!!!

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Custom line 2 dr. Sedan

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Wow, beautiful engine and car!!!!!!!! would have cut out the cross brace on victoria?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Thanks!

Cut my "brace" out to ease installation (look at pics in my previous posts.) Left enough room to weld a tab on each side of the cut out "brace" then drilled two holes on each tab so it could be bolted back in. That way I had the original strength with the original emergency brake cable mounting and an easy way to install or remove the trans. Used a stock T-bird rear transmission mount which worked out perfectly.

Don't know if the Victoria frame is different but assume it is the same at the transmission as the sedan.

There are no huge issues that can't be overcome. With all parts in hand, a good helper and a rack to get the car in the air, this job can be done comfortably in 3-4 days. No worries, I am 75 too! The key is a "good helper."

The final results are very pleasing. Smooth shifting and running. Speedway adapter is excellent and a no brainier.

Suggest you plan on using Lokar levers, linkage, TV pressure cable, brackets and springs. They are a great help and do the job perfectly. Nice that Summit Racing is only 10 miles from me. They are the greatest.

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Thank you.

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Thanks Ardun.

Re: AOD Transmission
 

You are welcome

Re: AOD Transmission
 

Ardun, if I pulled the engine would I still have to cutout cross member?

Re: AOD Transmission
 

My take on that would be "maybe not." Putting the engine in with the trans as an assembly, imo, would be another level of complication and require a lot of unnecessary disassembly. If I were to remove my engine now, I would remove the trans first and this would be easy because the crossmember is now a "bolt-in."

It was no big deal to cut the crossmember and weld on the tabs. Using a cut-off wheel it only takes 5 minutes to remove it.