Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Drivetrain Tech => Topic started by: Dan B. on August 14, 2009, 06:43:30 PM

Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 14, 2009, 06:43:30 PM
Sure hope that I'm looking at something wrong....but...

I just bought an AOD from a local fella.  It's a complete 302/tranny from an '85 Crown Vic...got it for $100.  He tells me it's an AOD, the pan says "Ford METRIC Automatic Overdrive".  But I'm not seeing the TV cable connection.  It also has a four wire plug above the shifter connection.

My '88 T-bird is at the mechanic getting inspected so I have nothing to compare it to.

Help!  Please tell me this will work.  If it won't...:punchballs:
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: 88turbo on August 14, 2009, 09:41:44 PM
I just picked mine up and it has the same connector above the shifter but mine also has a kickdown lever in with the shifter.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Haystack on August 15, 2009, 01:00:28 AM
your drive shaft will be too long with that transmission.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: blu84302 on August 15, 2009, 10:54:21 AM
They don't use a kickdown on an AOD.  It's called a TV cable/rod. :)
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 15, 2009, 09:24:30 PM
Quote from: blu84302;286783
They don't use a kickdown on an AOD.  It's called a TV cable/rod. :)


I understand that.....guess I just worded it wrong.  So does theTV hook on with the shifter rod?

About the driveshaft...can I change the tail shaft?
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: BlackCardinal on August 15, 2009, 10:22:26 PM
The arm that attaches to the TV cable is removeable...it may not be attached.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 15, 2009, 11:26:58 PM
I'm 99% the D/S will be fine, AFIK only the P/U and Lincoln LSC used the longer tranny...
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 16, 2009, 08:01:17 AM
Man I sure hope you guys are right.  I'm ssoooo ready to get this thing on the road.  I'd hate to have to go shopping for another tranny.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: cougarman on August 16, 2009, 08:20:04 AM
For what it's worth, I once put an AOD from my '87 Cougar into an '89 Crown vic. The driveshaft fit fine, all I did was flip the shift lever over.:burnout:
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: vinnietbird on August 16, 2009, 09:27:36 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;286842
I'm 99% the D/S will be fine, AFIK only the P/U and Lincoln LSC used the longer tranny...


This is true.I used a tranny from both of those vehicles,and had to shorten my drive shaft.It only cost $35.00.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 16, 2009, 10:41:53 AM
The TV cable is my biggest concern.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 16, 2009, 11:31:18 AM
Don't you have one on the old trans? Or you can use a lokar cable, that's what I used when I had a aod.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Lokar/625/KD-2AODHT/10002/-1?CT=999&sendroicid=bbef8492-2d00-41d6-b158-38db0de2603c&sendroiad=1664067519&sendroikwd=Lokar+KD-2AODHT&gclid=CNPAjZy_qJwCFQxM5QodWjoflQ
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: 88turbo on August 16, 2009, 11:57:47 AM
can you snap a pic of the shifter linkage?  that might help to clear things up a bit.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 16, 2009, 12:04:17 PM
I'm gonna steam off the 302/AOD combo later today.  I'll snap a pic then.  Actually...it looks just like the AOD in the "tranny swap" thread that is here.  http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=25162 (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=25162")

Really...now that I look closer at the pic in the above linked thread, I see a small rod project forward from the shifter bar.  Is that the TV cable connection point???  Hhmm...

I do have all the stuff from the existing combo that is still currently in the car.  I'm just shy of these AOD's.  I was gonna use one in my 351W Ranger but everyone had bad stuff to say...variations, TV cable, strength, weight, etc, etc.  I have a set of 4.56 gears that would be AWESOME in that truck with an AOD.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 16, 2009, 05:43:35 PM
No pics today......camera battery is dead.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: 88turbo on August 16, 2009, 05:58:13 PM
i have been assuming that the lever pointing forward is for the TV cable. maybe someone can chime in and confirm this for us.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on August 18, 2009, 08:52:24 AM
If I read this thread correctly, you bought an AOD out of the Crown Vic which in 1985 used a rod for the TV  instead of a cable.

Your 88 5.0 Bird used a cable to actuate the TV.

I would think all you had to do was take the nut off of the TV lever and bolt the T-Bird lever onto the Crown Vic trans.

Of course you will have to adjust the TV cable linkage as per factory shop manual to prevent the trans from getting too little ( or too much) line pressure.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on August 18, 2009, 08:58:20 AM
Quote from: 88turbo;286894
i have been assuming that the lever pointing forward is for the TV cable. maybe someone can chime in and confirm this for us.


In looking at the pic from the link above, yes the TV lever is the lever that is the furthermost away from the trans. The one closest to the trans is the gear selector.

That TV lever is only held on with a 12mm nut I believe.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: Dan B. on August 19, 2009, 06:44:03 AM
Thanks!!!
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: blu84302 on August 19, 2009, 03:39:10 PM
If i remember correctly the tailstocks come in 11 and 13 inch.  When i used a lincoln tranny it was the longer of the two.  All that needed done was taking a cutoff wheel and removing an inch and a half of the yoke/spline part.  It took about 5 minutes to shorten the drive shaft.  This was on an 84 and an 86.
Title: Got an AOD...no kickdown connection???
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 19, 2009, 03:52:30 PM
Aren't the 87 and down AODs more pr0ne to failure because they have so so lubrication to the rear of the trans? I thought I read some where that the 88 and up AODs were better in that department.