Hey fellow Ford guys! Tried to research this but no luck. Know it's there somewhere. Will possibly be installing a 302 and AOD trans into a 53 Merc. Is there any interference problem between the tranny case and the trans tunnel? I do have a c4 but I prefer the O/D. The trans is out in the shed and don't want to lug it out if there's going to be a problem. Thank you for any info on this. Ned
The AOD is a bit "fatter" through the case and uses quite a bit bigger pan. Length is similar. Both autos are much larger then the original 3 spd though, so you may be fabbing a new trans tunnel either way. A lot will depend on your engine and trans mount configuration.
Considering the size of the Ford-O-Matic trans, and the trans tunnel sized to accommodate it, there is a very good chance the AOD will fit. I know that is not an unqualified 'yes', but it's likely it will. The trans tunnels were upsized in '51 cars for the F-O-M. The C-4 will fit smaller tunnel '49/'50....ergo...you will have a bit bigger trans and your '53 Merc has a bit bigger tunnel too. Ray
Thank you all for the responses. Frozen Merc, thanks for the illustration. 10 years ago I put a 400/C6 in a 56 Merc and it fit good. Don't know if that year tunnel was any larger which I don't think. The C6 and the AOD look similar in size. Am going to try the social group. Thanks again! Ned
Shouldn't be an issue I have a 302/AOD in my '54 Ford several guys in the Ford Group have them in 52-53's with 302's no mods needed to the tunnel. What shifter do you have in mind ?
Jeff, which year pan is on your 302 and did you need to alter your front cross member to make it fit. Did you also change your throttle to a cable? Thanks
Here is an underneath shot I used an aftermarket AOD pan to gain a drain plug: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/dscf0037-small.483808/ As far as the throttle I used a LOKAR AOD kit made it real EZ http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUALITY-LOK...ash=item2c960ee9bf:g:2ZUAAOSwmrlUyRem&vxp=mtr You might want to watch this video:
One of our members in the 1952-59 Ford Group has a blog with a lot of pictures there is a good shot of how he hooked up the AOD to the Ford-O-Matic column check it out here: https://mainlineford.wordpress.com/
Jeff, I meant the oil pan on the engine. The mainline story shows a pretty good photo under the engine and it looks like the stock front sump pan clears the crossmember and stock steering. I keep forgetting the the Y in yblock had the pan rails much lower than the 302/351.
I have a 351 w in my 52 merc. I had to use a bronco pan and pick up tube to get the clearance for the front cross member. Simple bolt in swap.
I built a 50 Ford with 303 Olds and hydro when I was in high school and had no floor board issues with that monster transmission. Should be no problem
Thank you all for the advice. The AOD fits in there great. Getting a mount kit from Butch's, the 17", and I may have to move the rear mount back a little. Will see. But now I'm thinking of going manual instead with a 3 speed from a Maverick, with the shifter. The 302 I'm using already had standard on it. Has the pilot bearing and the pivot hole in the block. It's a '79. Have clutch pedal and linkage from a 54 Ford I can use. Just need a 28oz flywheel. I noticed something on my 53 Merc that's got me wondering. There's the clutch z bar mounted on the frame. The car had an auto but I wonder if it originally had a 3 speed. I need to check the rear end ratio. Might verify that. The column has the usual quadrant. Sending a photo of it. Ned
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