I'll be heading out to Arizona and have my eye on a number of cars and trucks on Craigs list and want to switch them over to AOD trans and a 2barrel set-up for the AOD. I know that '83-'85 Crown Vics had an AOD and a 2barrel carb. Just thought it might be good to see what year F-150's had an AOD and 2barrel carb.

 

There is nothing unique about an AOD transmission found in an earlier carbed vehicle vs one from a later EFI vehicle except that the later versions have better/stronger internals, but otherwise they can be swapped around. The AOD was used in 1/2 ton trucks up until 1995 though it's a pretty rare find by that time and is more common in early '90s trucks, but grab one of those if you can. You can identify the transmission in a truck by the trans code on the drivers door calibration sticker with T being for the AOD, and of course you will also find the TV cable connected to the TB linkage. Also note that if you want this for a 2wd application you should get one from a 2wd truck since the 4wd version uses a different truncated case and I'm not sure that it can be converted to a 2wd without complete disassembly.

 

I'm not looking to use the early AOD! I am looking for the early AOD trucks with 2 barrel carbs as I want the carb!! I also know there were a few 351w 4barrel carb trucks that had AODs. Two of the Rancheros I am looking at are 2 barrels and instead of doing an intake swap while I am 1800 miles away from all my tools(and a place to work) I thought I'd switch out the carb and have the trans shop switch out the AOD for me.

 

The AOD was used behind the 5.0/302 from 1980 - 1991. The easiest way to tell if the truck has an AOD is the shift pattern on the column. The AOD will read "P R N OD 3 1" on the column from 1980 - 1981, and then changed to "P R N OD D 1" from 1982 - 1991.

As for the carburetor, Ford used the Motorcraft 2150 2V in the F150 from 1980 - 1983, and then the Motorcraft 2150A 2V "feedback" carburetor from 1984 - 1985 when they first started using electronic engine controls. You will need to make sure the carburetor has the Ford kickdown linkage, or else the stock AOD throttle valve rod (TV rod) won't be able to hook up to it.

The TV rod directly controls the line pressure in the AOD. If the line pressure is not set correctly or if the TV rod is not connected to the carburetor correctly, it will burn up the transmission.

And if the geometry between the TV rod is not exactly proportionate to the movement of the throttle, the TV rod will get pulled out of adjustment. And when that happens, the line pressure is off again. This condition will burn up the transmission.

Yes, they can be swapped around, but there is another important difference you left out. The 1980 - 1986 model trucks with an AOD used a TV rod to control the transmission line pressure. Ford later replaced the TV rod with a TV cable in 1987 when they started exclusively using electronic fuel injection with the AOD.

The problem with the aftermarket Holley and Edelbrock carburetors is that they do not have a kickdown bracket that will work with the AOD TV rod, and their throttle levers are not symmetrical to use a TV cable.

To correct the first problem, you will need to get a Lokar TV cable to replace the TV rod:

Lokar KD2AODHT - Lokar Stainless Steel Hi-Tech Kickdown Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

To correct the second problem, you will need to get a TV corrector bracket that bolts on to the Holley or Edelbrock carburetor throttle lever. If you don't, the TV cable will get pulled out of adjustment every time you drive it. Out of adjustment AOD = burned up AOD.

TCI Auto 376715 - TCI TV Cable Bracket Corrector Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

TCI Auto 700203 - TCI TV Cable Bracket Corrector Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Ford never used the AOD behind a 351 engine in a truck application.

 

Thanks for the info. So I'll be looking for a 1980-1983 Motorcraft 2150--2V carb and all it's linkage.
I have located a shop in Phoenix that will swap-out the FMX for an AOD and I'll just replace the 2barrel carb with a 1980-1983 Motorcraft 2150 and drive it back to Illinois. Once home in my shop I'll swap out the intake and carb for a Edelbrock 4barrel manifold and a Holley carb. I'll get the bracket and cable from Lokar and be good to go.
Thanks for all the info.
John

 

For what it's worth, there were some Crown Victorias with trailer towing packages that came with a 351W and AOD (possibly Canada only). A friend had a 1985 model. It had the ordinary 2V Autolite carb. These engines were referred to as "HO" by Ford when they were anything but. They were weak 2V engines but I think the HO moniker was meant to impress cops who were the primary market.

So there are these passenger car engines referred to as a 5.8L HO from the mid 80s, and it becomes an assumption that they must be a 4V like the truck 5.8L HO.