I need some info, if anyone out there can help me. I have a 72 <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">429 </a>with a C-6 bolted to it (er it was). What I need to know is, can I get the C-6 rebuilt and have an overdrive installed in it? If not, or if that would be real expensive to do, what comparable tranny w/overdrive would be compatable. I would just like the overdrive for all of the hwy miles I drive. Also, with a 429, automatic, 3.31:1 gears and 32" tires, how many rpms should I be turning at 70mph with the C-6?

 

The C6 cannot rebuilt with OD , as far as I know.

You can get a Gear Vendors or other brand OD unit, that attaches to the tail section of the C6. This effectively gives you 6 gears and and an OD. These are pretty pricey, around $2500.

The <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">429 </a>is the same bolt pattern as the 460, so I would think that some of the later OD automatics could be used. I know they were using 460s up until about 96. I don't think the AOD was strong enough for e 460, but there are probaly aftermarket A0D trannys that are built up to handle the torque. If not, There may be an E40D option. I bet this is what was behind the latest <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>powered trucks. The electronic units may be difficult to hook up with an older motor. I'm sure that some people like Advance Adapters make some kits to convert later auto tranny's to the 429.

What we need, is to know what auto transmission was availabe for <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">460 </a>motors in the 80's. There must have been an auto tranny with a carbureted 460.

 

I calculate your RPM at 70 MPH to be 2434. Sounds about right. It's good to check the old algebra skills every once in a while.

 

Thanks a lot gtex. I was real curious about the rpms. It seemed like the motor was running a lot faster than it should have been and I had some overheating problems with it. The tranny was also shifting very softly (you almost couldn't feel it) and that combined with needing to do some body work prompted me to start a body off rebuild. Since I was planning to have the C-6 completely gone through I figured I might be able to get a replacement with AOD for around the same price. A couple of years ago, I had to replace the tranny in my 95 F250 Powerstroke w/AOD and it only cost me $1,200.00 at Cleveland Ford. I figured that if the AOD for the powerstroke was that cheap, I might be able to get close to that price for an AOD to fit my 429. Any ideas where I might start looking for the info on what was available for the 385 series engines?

 

I went to googledotcom and put in 460 AOD. I found that the AOD was never built for the 385 series. I found one article showing a company named Art Carr Performance makes an adapter to do this and you will need to get a special torque convertor as well.

 

Hey 8NRAY, (bet I can guess what your favorite Ford is) it's looking like my best bet is going to be to stay with the C-6 and have it rebuilt. What I have been able to find on the Ford AOD is that it is a strong (verses the heavy duty C-6) transmission that was put in light duty trucks. One website I found (I think it is Texas Ford parts dealers) offers an AOD for a 67 F-250 with a 390/2bbl. Isn't the 390 a 385 series block? Oh well, it doesn't matter anyway since what they are offering it to fit tells me that it probably won't stand up to to HP or torque of my 429. If you have time, I would like to discuss some things about the 429 with you and don't know quite where to post the discussion.

 

The 390 is part of the FE engine family: 332,360,390,406,410,427 and 428. It is not part of the 385 Family. It does have a different bell-housing.

I'm confused by some of the statements above. To my understanding the A0D is a light-duty transmission, I don't think it was offered behind anything larger than a 351. Now, the A0D can be built up and adapted to an FE, I believe one of the guys here has that setup.

The C6 is a torque-handler, it came behind many FEs and 429/460 engines in trucks and cars. It is a popular chois for drag racers, and off-roaders.

 

Hey Gtex, I'm sorry if any of my statements are confusing, I'm just going on information I get and as we all know, information is only as good as it's source. I think the info that a 390 is a 385 series came from my very dubious Chilton's book. It has other things wrong in it too. Anyway, the info that the AOD was (is) available for a 390 w/2bbl (72 F-250) came from the San Antonio Ford Dealer, presumeably their parts dept. I looked it up as if I were going to order a transmission from them and since I have a 72 block, I used that as the year model. Neither the 1/2 ton or the 3/4 ton showed the come with anything bigger than a 390. At another web site on Ford Transmissions, a guy named Howe tells about all of the Ford transmissions ( I guess it's all of them ) and he states "Ford AOD is a strong 4 speed automatic overdrive transmission used from 1982 through 1986 in Ford 1/2 ton F-series trucks. Transmission: AOD, 1st 2.40, 2nd 1.47, 3rd 1.00, 4th 0.67." and "Ford C-6 is a heavy duty 3-speed automatic transmission used from 1968 until 1986 in heavy duty Ford F-series trucks. It is 20 inches long and has 17 bolts holding on the pan. Transmission: C-6, 1st 2.46, 2nd 1.46, 3rd 1.00" I assume the 1st, 2nd etc. is the gear ratios. Anyway, it looks more and more like I will be much better off getting my C-6 rebuilt and using it. If you want the web addy of this Howe guy I will give it to you. I didn't read any more than I quoted above.

 

Lentech has several levels of beefed up AOD trannies and bellhousings for practically any motor . The prices aren't cheap, starting at 2500. or so.

 

Thanks for that info CACWBY, but I think that is just a bit more than I want to spend on the tranny, right now. I will keep the addy in case I reconsider later.