TexasEd

Thanks, LindenBruce. That was the information I was looking for. I think I'm going to go with the fix to the existing transmission now anyway, but I have a good idea of what I'll need in a swap. I have a good independent transmission guy that I can rely on for a rebuild he just hasn't done a C4 to AOD swap before but he was telling me about figuring out how to adjust the TV and about shortening the axle off the top of his head. I think he is interested in it from a point of professional curiosity. I might have him keep an eye out for a good AOD that was in a floor shifting car. Long term I want to swap out the entire drive train, I'm just trying to figure out if it made sense to do some of it incrementally, especially since the AOD has the potential to save gas and make highway driving nicer. I'm getting ~$2000 in a hail damage claim to my pickup truck that I'll be putting into the Mustang so I should be able to make enough progress to get it roadworthy with that.

Thanks, LindenBruce. That was the information I was looking for. I think I'm going to go with the fix to the existing transmission now anyway, but I have a good idea of what I'll need in a swap. I have a good independent transmission guy that I can rely on for a rebuild he just hasn't done a C4 to AOD swap before but he was telling me about figuring out how to adjust the TV and about shortening the axle off the top of his head. I think he is interested in it from a point of professional curiosity. I might have him keep an eye out for a good AOD that was in a floor shifting car. Long term I want to swap out the entire drive train, I'm just trying to figure out if it made sense to do some of it incrementally, especially since the AOD has the potential to save gas and make highway driving nicer. I'm getting ~$2000 in a hail damage claim to my pickup truck that I'll be putting into the Mustang so I should be able to make enough progress to get it roadworthy with that.

From that article I need the following (page 2): Transmission $200-250 from above Cross-member $140 Transmission mount $40 Flexplate $50-75 Throttle valve cable included w/ transmission to $76 for Lokar AOD Dipstick and tube included w/transmission Shift linkage adapter $58 Labor $200-250 AOD yoke $95 Shorten & balance the drive shaft $50-100? Adding those up I get between $833 and $1084. In that range I think it is feasible budget wise. Hidden Costs: Rework exhaust routing? Parts prices looked up here: http://www.transmissioncenter.org/classic_mustang_to_aod_conversion.htm What am I missing?

From that article I need the following (page 2): Transmission $200-250 from above Cross-member $140 Transmission mount $40 Flexplate $50-75 Throttle valve cable included w/ transmission to $76 for Lokar AOD Dipstick and tube included w/transmission Shift linkage adapter $58 Labor $200-250 AOD yoke $95 Shorten & balance the drive shaft $50-100? Adding those up I get between $833 and $1084. In that range I think it is feasible budget wise. Hidden Costs: Rework exhaust routing? Parts prices looked up here: http://www.transmissioncenter.org/classic_mustang_to_aod_conversion.htm What am I missing?

I think I broke the link to my finished picture. Here it is again: I highly recommend the clear coating. It is much more expensive than the colored epoxy, but it adds a shine that is easy to clean up. It will be very slippery if you don't add the sand/grit to the mix. Dirty car in the garage after the trip from Virginia on the back of an 18 wheeler.

I think I broke the link to my finished picture. Here it is again: I highly recommend the clear coating. It is much more expensive than the colored epoxy, but it adds a shine that is easy to clean up. It will be very slippery if you don't add the sand/grit to the mix. Dirty car in the garage after the trip from Virginia on the back of an 18 wheeler.

How much over the $750 target do you think it would be though? I need to set up a fund to do it sooner or later.

How much over the $750 target do you think it would be though? I need to set up a fund to do it sooner or later.

I have a 1969 fastback with a 302, C4, and a non-Limited Slip 8" rear. My C4 leaks pretty bad and parts and labor to drop the valve body, inspect and replace the seals is about $175-200. I can buy an un-rebuilt AOD from an 84 F-150 with 5.0L engine for $200-250 and the labor estimate is about $200-250 to get it installed if I provide all parts. I would like to have the AOD in the long run, but my car needs other things too. I need to make a cost/benefit decision on this and to do that I need to appreciate all the costs associated with the swap. If it is $175-200 for the C4 service where is my cost cutoff point to get the AOD installed instead? If I could do it for $500 then no-question I would do it but I'm already at that point without any contingencies or extra parts. What are the other factors involved? - Flex plate balancer? - Shift lever adapter? (Especially since it is coming off a column shift vehicle) - swap/modify the axle? - Put in a LSD 8" or 9" rear differential at the same time? If it gets too much over $750 then I think I wouldn't do it and would put that money towards other items. Other high priority items include: -rebuild/replace the power assisted steering which leaks worse than the transmission (my garage floor looks like a slaughter house with all the red fluid) - replace the shocks and springs Thanks, Ed

I have a 1969 fastback with a 302, C4, and a non-Limited Slip 8" rear. My C4 leaks pretty bad and parts and labor to drop the valve body, inspect and replace the seals is about $175-200. I can buy an un-rebuilt AOD from an 84 F-150 with 5.0L engine for $200-250 and the labor estimate is about $200-250 to get it installed if I provide all parts. I would like to have the AOD in the long run, but my car needs other things too. I need to make a cost/benefit decision on this and to do that I need to appreciate all the costs associated with the swap. If it is $175-200 for the C4 service where is my cost cutoff point to get the AOD installed instead? If I could do it for $500 then no-question I would do it but I'm already at that point without any contingencies or extra parts. What are the other factors involved? - Flex plate balancer? - Shift lever adapter? (Especially since it is coming off a column shift vehicle) - swap/modify the axle? - Put in a LSD 8" or 9" rear differential at the same time? If it gets too much over $750 then I think I wouldn't do it and would put that money towards other items. Other high priority items include: -rebuild/replace the power assisted steering which leaks worse than the transmission (my garage floor looks like a slaughter house with all the red fluid) - replace the shocks and springs Thanks, Ed

I can't see any of your pictures. Sent e-mail about qtr extensions and gas cap.

I can't see any of your pictures. Sent e-mail about qtr extensions and gas cap.

Wow. Good Luck.

Have you seen his build progress thread? http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=7560

I like the 10-spoke wheels, a lot. What size are they?

Is it a problem using the subframe right in front of the torque box?

I saw a set for sale here: http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/1969-through-1970-mustang-parts-sale/633363-69-70-parts-sale-dfw-area.html

My trunk is almost not open-able in its current state. I need to adjust the latch mechanism so that it opens without over turning the key (I'm afraid of breaking it off). Any instructions or tips?

Is porting part of your class? Now you make me wish I was able to take the course!

We could really use an index to all the projects in this thread. There are so many things I want to reference again later, but I have to sift through it page by page to find the right section because the forum search function does not take you to the actual post, but only to the thread.

AOD up to 550 hp $2000 plus shipping ($110 more for up to 600hp) http://www.ford-aod.com/

There is no reason not to at least look at going with an AOD. The only potential drawbacks I can think of are that you may want a bigger ratio rear differential and initial adjustment of the throttle valve cable needs to be done properly. I currently have a C4 but if it ever needs major work I'll be swapping it out for an AOD

Background: My brother put 4 quarts of fluid in the transmission before he shipped the car to me. It took 3 days to ship and then I parked it in the garage where it leaked about 1/2 a quart on the floor over the course of a week. Looking under the car I can see the date 10-5-91 on the bottom of the transmission pan so I assume that was the date it was last worked on. The cork gasket looks a little brittle, but there was also fluid on the control lever. Could this be coming from someplace higher up? I have not traced the fill/dipstick tube to the housing yet but I have heard that is another potential leak spot. Questions: - Anything else I should look for? - How difficult would it be for a first timer to drop the pan, replace the filter, replace the gasket, replace the fill tube gasket, and get it all back together? - I assume I need a torque wrench to properly torque the pan bolts. Any other special tools? - Do I need to jack one end of the car up higher than the other for best results? Thanks, Ed

Thanks. I did not take the covers off the brakes but looked at the cable. It seems like there is just too much slack in the cable. I put my new tires on it last night so I could drive it around the block. I'll have to get it back up on jack stands and look in more detail.

Your English is better than our Italian. Thanks for posting these pictures. They are very inspirational and informative.