need AOD expertise
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
need AOD expertise
I have tried to put some miles on my 56 since tagging it. After painfully straightening out the linkage problems on my Weber carbs I have graduated to AOD problems. This thing shifts into high gear at about 30-35 MPH and it will not downshift for any reason until it stops. No passing gear, no acceleration from any speed and it jerks, not violently, but it jerks just the same when slowing down or stopping. Pressure readings are about 35 lbs at 2000 RPM and near 0 at idle. I need some good advice fast before I tear this thing up. Any AOD experts out there? Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Fatfenders,
Hmmm AOD shifting issues....
After setting the pressure correctly using carnut's process outlined above. If that doesn't do it a few thoughts:
o Don't drive around in Overdrive it's just a rough ride. Save that for
highway driving. So keep it in D up to 45 or so.
o You can change out the Governor which raises the shift points & eliminates the early shift into 2nd & the bogging down. It's a pretty cheap fix - under $30.
Here is a link to the process of changing out your Governor.
{transmission} AOD Governor swap.
Here is a link to the kit on Summit...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tr...FVBk7Aod0xIATQ
You can also open it up & change out the clutch pack which will smooth out your shift points.
You can put in a solid valve body from Silverfox or others & eliminate that linkage shift all together. (Expensive)
We got frustrated with our AOD & took it to a shop with some oldtimers who knew how to really set the Shift linkage. It's not expensive as all they are doing is adjusting that dang cable.
Good luck over there - I feel your pain.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD
Hmmm AOD shifting issues....
After setting the pressure correctly using carnut's process outlined above. If that doesn't do it a few thoughts:
o Don't drive around in Overdrive it's just a rough ride. Save that for
highway driving. So keep it in D up to 45 or so.
o You can change out the Governor which raises the shift points & eliminates the early shift into 2nd & the bogging down. It's a pretty cheap fix - under $30.
Here is a link to the process of changing out your Governor.
{transmission} AOD Governor swap.
Here is a link to the kit on Summit...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tr...FVBk7Aod0xIATQ
You can also open it up & change out the clutch pack which will smooth out your shift points.
You can put in a solid valve body from Silverfox or others & eliminate that linkage shift all together. (Expensive)
We got frustrated with our AOD & took it to a shop with some oldtimers who knew how to really set the Shift linkage. It's not expensive as all they are doing is adjusting that dang cable.
Good luck over there - I feel your pain.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,052
From: NM
'Fenders, which model AOD do you have, and what is its condition (rebuilt, upgraded servos, etc)?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
I have tried to put some miles on my 56 since tagging it. After painfully straightening out the linkage problems on my Weber carbs I have graduated to AOD problems. This thing shifts into high gear at about 30-35 MPH and it will not downshift for any reason until it stops. No passing gear, no acceleration from any speed and it jerks, not violently, but it jerks just the same when slowing down or stopping. Pressure readings are about 35 lbs at 2000 RPM and near 0 at idle. I need some good advice fast before I tear this thing up. Any AOD experts out there? Thanks
My AOD shifts at about 1200 rpms. Combined with the 29" diameter tires and the 3.25 rear end ratio, my acceleration is more leisurely than I desire. I'm going to a smaller diameter tire next and if that's not enough, I'm going to change the rear-end gears. I like the governor swap that ben73508 recommended, but the summit site says it shifts at 5,500 RPM. Any other AOD users have any input?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Fenders,
Do you get the same symptoms driving it in Drive vs. Overdrive?
We had very similar problems - basically shifting into gears too early.
I also thought I had the cable & pressure adjusted correctly - the
old experienced guys readjusted mine a couple of times & that fixed
all of our problems. I would get a second opinion on your cable adjustment. Extremely small adjustments in that cable make very big changes in drivability. AOD's are frustrating.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD
Do you get the same symptoms driving it in Drive vs. Overdrive?
We had very similar problems - basically shifting into gears too early.
I also thought I had the cable & pressure adjusted correctly - the
old experienced guys readjusted mine a couple of times & that fixed
all of our problems. I would get a second opinion on your cable adjustment. Extremely small adjustments in that cable make very big changes in drivability. AOD's are frustrating.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Again, thanks for all your input. I am running 8 48IDA Weber carbs and all of the linkage had to be made from scratch. I am looking at radius and lever length today. Does anyone know what the pressure needs to be to make the trans kick down into "passing gear"? I also had 2 transmission shops tell me to add a bottle of Lube Guard to the trans and be sure that the fluid levels are correct.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
No downshift means something is definitely wrong, the trans should still go up and down through the gears even if the TV cable isn't ideally adjusted. Possible causes are a leak in valvebody or a stuck actuator on the OD band. One of the better upgrades for this trans IMO is a valvebody shift kit, they aren't expensive or hard to do and while you're in there you can look for the other problems.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Let me clarify myself, the trans downshifts at stops etc, what it won't do is downshift into "passing gear" when I nail the throttle. About an hour ago I shortened up the TV cable by about 1/4" and it is 'way better, not perfect, but better. I think I need to hook up a guage and drive the thing to see what it does at different speeds. I would really like to know what the pressure should be to drop it into passing gear.
By the way, I could not point the TV lever down because it hit the header collectors so I am using the stock Ford lever, pointing up, it is the same length as the Lokar piece
By the way, I could not point the TV lever down because it hit the header collectors so I am using the stock Ford lever, pointing up, it is the same length as the Lokar piece
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Chapter 20 I removed the extra return spring from the TV lever at the trans, another large improvement. Drivability much improved. Hesitation when accelerating from 40 MPH. I suspect that may be a timing issue, these carbs are very sensitive to timing, they like a lot of advance 38 degrees or so I can't get that on regular gas, may have to go to mid grade or even high test. Tomorrow I will sync the carbs again and adjust the richness. Everything seems to help a little bit, still don't know about the kickdown thing
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Guelph
My AOD is shifting way to soon as well. Did some thinking about it for a while. The tighter you make the cable the sooner it will shift because you are raising the line pressure. When you start to accelerate spring pressure in the throttle body is over come quickly because the pressure is all ready there..If you loosen off the cable pressure is lowered and the engine needs to rev higher to build pressure to shift later. As soon as the 4 ft of snow are gone here I can let you no if its fixed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
My AOD is shifting way to soon as well. Did some thinking about it for a while. The tighter you make the cable the sooner it will shift because you are raising the line pressure. When you start to accelerate spring pressure in the throttle body is over come quickly because the pressure is all ready there..If you loosen off the cable pressure is lowered and the engine needs to rev higher to build pressure to shift later. As soon as the 4 ft of snow are gone here I can let you no if its fixed.