The Ford Barn

41merc · 04-24-2013, 08:13 AM

I have a 37 p/u with a 53 merc engine, I'm interested In installing an automatic transmission with overdrive. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Thank you,

Ol' Ron · 04-24-2013, 09:25 AM

I'd use the early Ford AOD this requires an adapter and is a bolt in. the converter lock up is internal and the TV cable is the only thing you have to worry about and any transmission shop can adjust it. The only draw back is the trans need more power from the engine to operate. Most of these trannys are bolted to modified engines and I recommend an increase in displacemnt and compression. But they work great

wga · 04-24-2013, 09:48 AM

Good friend that bleeds Ford blue, used a 700R4 transmission. Adapter plate, driveshaft, and stock rear end. '50 Ford wagon. Drives it all around, no problems.

Ol' Ron · 04-24-2013, 04:15 PM

Excellent tranny, but has a computer controlled converter lockup, this needs an external control.

okiedokie · 04-24-2013, 09:42 PM

My 84 GMC with 700R4 had no computer. Not that I would use one instead of the AOD.

Motorhead6 · 04-25-2013, 03:01 AM

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I have a '51 Victoria with a flathead and an AOD as Ole Ron suggested. Got the adapter kit from Summit; complete with the starter and flywheel. With a 3.55:1 rear end ratio, she turns 1750 RPM at 70 MPH. Plenty of power from the flatty. The flathead is a very torque-y engine, so it works very well. I have yet to put enough road miles on it since I put the 4 barrel on to attest to exact MPG, but it does very well in this area as well. With the 2 X 2 barrel carbs that were on it, I got only about 16 MPG but am doing better now.

Lokar provides a Throttle Valve cable for the AOD. I had to modify the arm on the transmission so that I could "clock" it to a position where it would work. I attached the cable to the carburetor in a manner that as the throttle is opened, the cable is pulled at the same rate as the accellerator is opened. As for having a professional adjust it, not so. All you have to do is adjust it to take out all of the slack in the cable. The Lokar kit is adjustable for this purpose.

I read the above reply relative to the power loss by using the A/T. I have not experienced this. In fact, my experience is a much more responsive and driveable car. The 4 forward gears (including OD) make it seem to actually be more peppy!

I would be glad to provide pictures of the set up if you but ask.

VR, Motorhead

41merc · 04-25-2013, 10:04 AM

Thanks to everyone for your responses.
Motorhead6 I would really appreciate seeing the photos. What year transmission did you use?
Thanks again,
[email protected]

Krylon32 · 04-25-2013, 10:27 AM

I have provided this conversion on several customer chassis that I have furnished the FH drivetrain for. Everyone has seemed satisfied with the results.

04-24-2013, 08:13 AM	#1
41merc Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 36	Automatic overdrive I have a 37 p/u with a 53 merc engine, I'm interested In installing an automatic transmission with overdrive. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated. Thank you,

04-24-2013, 09:25 AM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Automatic overdrive I'd use the early Ford AOD this requires an adapter and is a bolt in. the converter lock up is internal and the TV cable is the only thing you have to worry about and any transmission shop can adjust it. The only draw back is the trans need more power from the engine to operate. Most of these trannys are bolted to modified engines and I recommend an increase in displacemnt and compression. But they work great

04-24-2013, 09:48 AM	#3
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 971	Re: Automatic overdrive Good friend that bleeds Ford blue, used a 700R4 transmission. Adapter plate, driveshaft, and stock rear end. '50 Ford wagon. Drives it all around, no problems. __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.

04-24-2013, 04:15 PM	#4
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Automatic overdrive Excellent tranny, but has a computer controlled converter lockup, this needs an external control.

04-24-2013, 09:42 PM	#5
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 519	Re: Automatic overdrive My 84 GMC with 700R4 had no computer. Not that I would use one instead of the AOD.

04-25-2013, 03:01 AM	#6
Motorhead6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange Park, Fl Posts: 406	Re: Automatic overdrive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a '51 Victoria with a flathead and an AOD as Ole Ron suggested. Got the adapter kit from Summit; complete with the starter and flywheel. With a 3.55:1 rear end ratio, she turns 1750 RPM at 70 MPH. Plenty of power from the flatty. The flathead is a very torque-y engine, so it works very well. I have yet to put enough road miles on it since I put the 4 barrel on to attest to exact MPG, but it does very well in this area as well. With the 2 X 2 barrel carbs that were on it, I got only about 16 MPG but am doing better now. Lokar provides a Throttle Valve cable for the AOD. I had to modify the arm on the transmission so that I could "clock" it to a position where it would work. I attached the cable to the carburetor in a manner that as the throttle is opened, the cable is pulled at the same rate as the accellerator is opened. As for having a professional adjust it, not so. All you have to do is adjust it to take out all of the slack in the cable. The Lokar kit is adjustable for this purpose. I read the above reply relative to the power loss by using the A/T. I have not experienced this. In fact, my experience is a much more responsive and driveable car. The 4 forward gears (including OD) make it seem to actually be more peppy! I would be glad to provide pictures of the set up if you but ask. VR, Motorhead

04-25-2013, 10:04 AM	#7
41merc Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 36	Re: Automatic overdrive Thanks to everyone for your responses. Motorhead6 I would really appreciate seeing the photos. What year transmission did you use? Thanks again, [email protected]

04-25-2013, 10:27 AM	#8
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,313	Re: Automatic overdrive I have provided this conversion on several customer chassis that I have furnished the FH drivetrain for. Everyone has seemed satisfied with the results.