Im putting togather a 64 ford custom 500. The car came with a blown up 5 bolt bell housing 289 sbf. I bought a 68 302 with no fly wheel. I got a 85 AOD tranny out of a van. I heard I couldnt use the flywheel out of the 85 ford van 302 engine because it was balanced diffrent then the 68 302 flywheel. So I thought I could get away with using the flywheel off of the 64 289. Well I tryed to bolt the tranny to the motor and the converter studs will not go in the flywheel. The 289 flywheel is to small. My question is what do I need for a flywheel???? If I go to the parts store. What year fly wheel should I tell them I need????? If anyone has ever been threw this and knows the awnser please let me know. Any other advice is apreciated. Thanks guys
This might help: http://www.transmissioncenter.org/classic_mustang_to_aod_conversion.htm Scroll down ta' da' first flywheel....
The 85 van AOD should have the large bellhousing so I'm pretty sure it should be a 164 tooth flex plate. So a 351W( 5.8L ) flexplate should work for you. It's the correct 28 oz. imbalance and will have the 164T flexplate. Just ask for a flexplate for a 1985 Ford Van with a 351W ( 5.8L ) with a C6 automatic. That should be what you need. Rock Auto has them for $45.00-$54.00. EDIT: BurntOutOldMechanic beat me to it.
Im still alittle confused. I do have the flywheel that came of the 85 ford van 302 that the AOD was bolted on. Can I use that flywheel. Instead of ordering a 1985 351 flywheel????
1985 302/5.0 engine/flywheel has 50oz imbalance, so no, you can't use it unless ya' wanna' live with the vibration it'll create... Ya' need a 164 tooth flywheel w/ a 28oz imbalance ta' go with yer' 1968 302... Judd beat me this time....
OK so a 1985 164 tooth 28oz 351 flywheel will work???? If so what tranny do I say I need It for???? The c6 or the aod???
Say it's for a C6. It's just simpler and you won't confuse the counter guy/kid. Just ask for a flexplate for a 1985 Ford van with a 351W and an automatic.
Another question well im at it. Is there any specific starter I should be using. Like I prolly couldent use the one off the 64 289 motor cuz it has the small fly wheel. But could I use the one of the 85 302????
sorry i aint got a answer for ya but im gonna build a few bbf and i think im gonna miss my chevies!! lol so much easier..
Im a chevy guy. But I will mess with sbf. BUt know way would I mess with a bbf just dosent seem like the right thing to. Maybe I will but idk if they put out more power stock then a stock chevy big block. Feel free to commet in guys. Make it tempting.
The balance thing is the only obstacle you have to deal with on a ford, if you pay close attention to it, the Ford start actually bolts to the trans, so it automatically takes care of putting it where it needs to be for the flywheel your using. You will get it together, and you will like it! =D
Also the tranny dip stick was a huge long one that went to the front of the motor from being out of the van. I broke it tryen to get it out. I wanted a smaller one any way. What will work and not be so long????
Make sure you adjust the TV cable on the AOD, if not it will burn up the transmission in just a few miles.
79-91 Crown vic would probably be the easiest to find. Otherwise you could spend the big bucks and get an aftermarket one. http://www.honestcharley.com/hot-rod-parts/transmission-components/dipstick-ht-ford-aod.html
Yes, you could add 150lbs of weight to the front, cut a hole in the firewall for the distributor that is so big that it creates its own gravity, run some but ass ugly headers, torque 87 head bolts per side, and tell everyone that you put a 350 in it because it was easier and cheaper.
Also there was no cable for the the kickdown. It was all mechanical shifting rods. Can I make it so I dont have to hook up the kick down some how??????
I think your right. Thats why I kept her all ford. It just feels like the right thing to do. Im a chevy guy. But I got a soft spot for fords. Fords can just be plain mean. And it turns me on.
I swapped engines in my 40 GMC truck. I took a 1965 283 out, and put in a 1986 350. Well that was the block, it is a GM reman engine I got cheap. ANyways, I was pounding my head against the bench with the exact same issue. Its not just a Ford thing. I am a Ford guy with a spot in my heart for old cars. I thought Chevy to Chevy will be easy. NOT!!!! I got a guy at the parts counter to pull out all his flex plates. I had to match the crank bolt pattern and TQ converter pattern. I was ready to give up, and there it was. I had to buy a new starter though. I am glad that swap is behind me.
The AODs in the early 80s are rod operated. TCI makes a constant pressure valve body that still requires the rod or cable, but eliminates the gnats ass adjustment.
The AOD doesn't have a kick down, It's a TV ( throttle valve ) . You need to have it hooked up and adjusted or you'll fry the transmission. You either run the solid linkage or a cable set up. Either way you to need to adjust it correctly. This is yet another reason I prefer manual transmissions!