I just bought an ambulance! 1987 E350 chassis with a Braun drop-on aluminum ambulance body (amazingly well-made). 460, C-6, Dana 70HD with limited slip. Astoundingly (I have to guess this is the aluminum body), it isn't nearly as heavy as I would have guessed, scale weight on the title being 4630lbs. Seller asked me what I planned on doing with an ambulance; I told him I'm starting a ghostbuster business (actually I'll be converting it to a camper/tow van).

It's going to be a real gas-hog if I don't make a bunch of upgrades. I'm getting much kindly advice from members here on other aspects. Here I want to know about the C-6. I like this trans, simple and tough. And an outfit called Level 10 sells a kit with a rolling-element thrust-washer that reportedly offers a small but detectable improvement in fuel consumption. (www.levelten.com)

But if I'm going on cross country trips with this tub, an overdrive gear would be a help once I hit the flatlands. The AOD has a so-so reputation, but an outfit in Ontario called Lentech has been reworking them for years, both for hauling and drag racing. Now they offer kits so you can do the rebuild yourself. (www.lentechautomatics.com)

Does anyone here have experience with a Lentech AOD, or with their kit? Or with the Level 10 thrust washer?

 

The AOD is a decent transmission as long as you start with the most recent model. Not the strongest thing out there by a long shot, but decent enough.

From personal experience, I have built untold numbers of them in all forms and have had really good success. The thing I am not fond of is that direct drive shaft. It's a long piece of "I can't wait to break on you" if too much is asked of it. But get the right parts and put them together correctly and that transmission will do a fine job.

Now for the big "but"...

Fine transmission, but it won't bolt directly to your 460.

I would much sooner consider an E4OD with an aftermarket controller. You won't need anything fancy for that since it isn't a high performance application. In this instance I might consider something inexpensive like the latest Baumann controller. This will do a much better job and be really darn strong while likely costing less than adapting an AOD to work with a 460.

Do much research.

D

 

Agreed!!!!

I'm sorry, Darrin. I just posted a long answer but the computer vaporized it and now I'm out of time. Talk to you tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for your interest.

--Smitty

 

I HATE when that happens. LOL

D

 

In soliciting and googling information on this ambulance, I'm am now getting somewhat cold feet about the idea of making it into a long distance camper van. One of my advisors in the Full-Size Van section has convincingly expressed skepticism at the listed scale weight. He and I are now thinking that the 4630lb figure must have meant the 1-ton chassis and cab and all the heavy running gear LESS the drop-on body, and that the complete vehicle must go something over 6000lbs, empty. Sober consideration now suggests that even with all the engine and transmission improvements I could make, this rig is going to be pretty expensive to drive long distances . . . .

However, not too long ago I bought another van that I was going to use for this purpose, one I think will be more satisfactory now that I am falling out of love with the ambulance. This is an '88 E150 windowless work van, 300-six, an AOD or AODE (?), and a plain 8.8" axle that I'll replace with a Traction-Loc 9" out of a parts-van. The Ford Big Six is an engine I know about, have a lot of parts for, and can rebuild and upgrade inexpensively. And I like sixes, and how they leave you some room in an engine compartment.

So, with this much lighter vehicle in mind, Darrin, first, what do you think of an AOD of this year?

Second, I also have a Ford manual top-loader 4-speed, one of the ones that Ford made into a 3-speed with overdrive. Now, I don't push equipment harder than necessary, and with this trans I would avoid stressing it by staying in the direct-drive 3rd gear when pulling a trailer up hills. Given that, what do you think of this trans for my relatively light E150 camper. Does it offer any worthwhile fuel economy benefit over a good AOD?


Incidently, because I am OLD, and like to stay with what I know, I will replace the EFI with a carburetor. Yes, I know the EFI will give better mpg, . . . until it quits without warning in the middle of a Sunday night ten miles out of Roadkill, Montana. Also a carb takes less space. And so does eliminating some of the emissions gizmos, hoses, wires, et al. And if I get rid of all that, and replace the dizzy with a DuraSpark 2 unit, maybe the computer will have nothing to do, and I can rip it out (oh happy day!). What would I need to know about the effect of that program on my AOD, and what could I do about that?


Really appreciate your help!!<!-- / message --> <!-- message, attachments, sig --> <!-- post 14929488 popup menu --> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4"><tbody><tr><td class="thead">seattle smitty</td></tr><tr><td class="vbmenu_option">View Public Profile</td></tr><tr><td class="vbmenu_option">View Gallery</td></tr><tr><td class="vbmenu_option">Send a private message to seattle smitty</td></tr><tr><td class="vbmenu_option">Find all posts by seattle smitty</td></tr><tr><td class="vbmenu_option">Add seattle smitty to Your Contacts</td></tr></tbody></table>
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