I have a 1951 f1 I am doing some work this winter on it. Front susp. With power steering. The motor is a 289 out if a 68 mustang with a c4 trans. I am looking for a trans with overdrive. Which car or truck or suv would be the best for a donor. Please give me a couple of options. Which years??? Thanks jeff

 

Welcome aboard, this is the place to be. Where are you from, what suspension are you using and is the power train already installed in your truck? Within a short period of time your questions will be answered. These guys are awesome.

 

If I remember right they switched to the 302 in 68, the 67 did have the 289 though. Transmission can be swapped out to something with OD pretty easy I had thought.

If you do swap it all out, some of the Mustang people out there would love to have an original powertrain in theirs, so keep that in mind.

 

WELCOME!

289 engines had two different bellhousing bolt patterns ( 5 bolt or 6 bolt ) if you have a 6 bolt, things are going to be much easier.

6 bolt transmissions are very pletiful, as the same bolt pattern was used on small blocks from (IIRC) 1966 thru the end of the 302/5.0L run in 1997. So you can bolt up an AOD (need a spec flexplate and a LOKAR cable kit for the THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL [looks like a kickdown cable])

if you wanted to go with a 5speed manual trans, you can use a T-5 out of a 5.0L foxbody Mustang (1985-2003)


5 bolt blocks become a near impossibility for an automatic OD. but you can get adapter plates to mate a T-5 to a 3/4speed bellhousing for a 5 bolt block.

ALSO>>> did anyone else mention that we (ALL OF US) love to see pictures of the trucks, NO MATTER WHAT state of disassembly/disrepair they may be in?

 

The 5 bolt bellhousing was a pre '65 thing. Since the o/p has a 1968 model year engine, that's not a concern here, but a good point to bring up as that could pose an unfortunate issue.

289/302 was a running change during the 1968 model year, depending on model and availability.

For overdrive automatic transmissions, the best ones for this application will be an AOD from the late 80's early 90's from any model Ford that would have had a 302 or 351W (Crown Vic, Thunderbird, Mustang, etc.). Those have the best updates before they went to electronic control (AODE). That just opens up a huge can of worms and you don't want to go there. Just know that you can't use the flexplate from the newer engine on your 68 289. The balance is different, changed from 28oz imbalance weights to 50 oz in 1981. You can use the trans fine, but make sure you have the correct flexplate for your engine to fit the AOD.

 

Hey there, here's the chart I've been using when looking for AOD (& 5.0s)

Found at: Ford AOD transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The AOD (for automatic overdrive) is a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Introduced in 1980, it was Ford's first four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The design is based on the same gearset as the 1960s and 1970s. The AOD replaced the majority of Ford's older transmissions, including the C4 and C6.

Applications:

• 1980–1986 Ford LTD
• 1980–1993 Ford Thunderbird
• 1980–1993 Mercury Cougar
• 1984–1993 Ford Mustang
• 1980–1986 Mercury Marquis
• 1980–1987 Lincoln Continental
• 1980–1983 Lincoln Mark VI
• 1983–1990 Ford Econoline
• 1983–1991 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
• 1983–1992 Mercury Grand Marquis
• 1982–1993 Ford Bronco
• 1981–1992 Lincoln Town Car
• 1980–1987 Lincoln Continental
• 1980–1983 Lincoln Mark VI
• 1984–1992 Lincoln Mark VII
• 1992 Ford Crown Victoria

Good luck!! Joe

 

Thanks for the info. I have the motor hooked up to a c4 that came with the Mustang. I have been running it all summer its just that at 70 mph I am at almost 4k and with an AOD I will hope to see around 3200.
I was planning on using the flexplate I have now.

 

Hey something simple you could do is get a nine inch rear axle out of a 57-72 ford f100 with 3:00 gearing, they bolt onto the stock springs. It could save you the hassle of changing the transmission out.

 

Depending on the tooth count on your existing flexplate, you may or may not be able to use it. Early C4's used a 157 tooth where the later trans and the AOD I believe use the larger, 164 tooth. Since the starter bolts to the bellhousing, you could have starter engagement issues if you don't have the correct flexplate. Just something to watch out for.

 

+1 on that^^

you need to have a 164 tooth flexplate for an AOD.

also +1 on the rearend swap as a possible option.

if you choose to swap in an AOD:

KEEP IT COOL!!! you cannot overcool these transmissions. Heat is thier biggest enemy. wrap your exhaust anywhere near the trans case, wrap the cooler lines near exhaust, run the biggest external cooler you can fit, and a deep sump extra-capacity pan is a good idea too. Also, remember that AODs use standard DEXRON/MERCON III fluid, NOT TYPE F like your C4 should have.

 

Last vehicle to have the 5 bolt bell housing: 1965 Mustang 260/289 before 8/23/1964 = Prior to this date, not only is the bell housing different, but so is the timing cover and waterpump.

302 introduced Spring 1968-Passenger Cars only. The 289 was also used thru the end of the 1968 model run, but no F100 or Econoline came with it. 1963/68 Passenger Cars (except '63/64 Falcons), 1966/68 Bronco's only.

1969: 302 introduced in Econolines, Bronco's and F100's.

 

I have a 289/c4 from a 1968 Ford Fairlane in my 52 F-1. My suggestion which was previously posted, would be to change the gears in the rear end. This would be cheaper and much less of a hassle. When I'm going 70 mph my tach reads just above 3000 which is where you said you want to be. The ratio in mine is 2.75:1. Came stock with the Fairlane. Of course it's not as quick from a standing start, that's the trade off. What's more important to you ? Jack rabbit starts or easy cruising. I can easily burn rubber from a standing start, so it's not THAT slow off the line. Hope that helps

 

The reason I was planning on changing out the trans and not the rearend is becausemy trans is leaking now. I put up one pic that is the only one I have. I went to the track and ran 15.95 @ 88mph. I had to feather into the gas on each run because the tires would spin. I like the feel of the truck with the 3.92 gear.
So if I get the AOD trans I need a flexplate and the lokar and fluids. Is there anything else I need?

 

Kinda late to the thread and depends on what you want to do or spend but here is what I did/have.
20" rims with 45 series rubber and 4.11 in the ford 9. I cruise at 70 mph around 2700rpm if I remember corectly.
98 aode (rebuilt by offroad trans mechanic 1200)
bauman controler (off eBay 300)
installed adjustable and never worried about t.v cable well, exacly what I wanted.
At the flip of a switch I can burn the tires into 2nd or just cool so-cal cruising. Don't be scared of the aode. The controllers have gotten better (although still pricey new) and makes looking for a transmission that much easier.

 

Possibly a different shifter, some modifications to the trans mount and crossmember, and possibly some firewall/floorpan mods, too, depending on where your current engine/trans is set in the chassis. Will your exhaust need to be relocated? The AOD case is quite a bit larger than the C4. The AOD may also be longer (not sure), which would mean shortening the driveshaft. Like any modification or change, making one change rarely does not stop there, but snowballs to a dozen other thing$.