I just purchased a 1986 F150 5.0L EFI with the AOD trans and 57,000 original miles (1 owner retired older couple). The trans shifts hard both up and down the gears, but it was obvious the milage was correct and since last emmissions on 8/4/98 the truck was only driven 2000 miles. I thought maybe the fluid jelled and needed changed, so I dropped the pan to change the fluid/filter. There were no normal signs of trans. failure (metal flakes etc) in the pan, but I found a part (I'll put a picture in my gallery). The part is plastic and looks like a plunger. It doesn't appear as though it broke off and I can't determine where it came from. This is a genuine mystery, and I don't have much transmisson experience (never rebuilt one). I don't really expect anyone on the forum to know about the part, but maybe someone can help with the hard shifting problem. Either way, I hope someone can help. She's a real sweat heart of a truck.:-staun

 

Same thing happened to me. I took the plastic thing to the transmission shop, and the mechanic laughed and said it's a plug they use to block off the dipstick hole in the tranny while the truck is being built. When it comes time to install the dipstick tube, they just shove it in the hole and the plastic plug ends up in the pan.

As far as your shifting problems, I would suspect your throttle TV cable from the trans to the throttle is out of adjustment. These trannies don't use vacuum like the older trannies to detect engine load, but use this cable hooked to the carb or throttle body. It determines how hard the transmission shifts.

 

Here's a website with some info that may help. You don't have to worry about having the right linkage, but the adjustment info may help.

http://www.baumannengineering.com/tvlnkage.htm

 

Overfill trans for a second.Take it out for a ride and don't run it hard.Just see if it shifts better.If it does....your filter "o" ring (gasket) is not sealing.

 

Thanks for the information franklin2. I was surprised to find out you had the same part, but it makes sense now that I know it is a manufacturing technique.

I'll try the adjustment to the TV cable like you suggested and respond with the results.