Happy 4/29 Day!! Have one built, and truck is down to the frame waiting on new suspension to arrive while body parts are at the acid dip shop.
Question to all the fellow big blockers. I am looking to put an automatic transmission in the truck so when one of the kids is riding middle seat, they aren't chewing on a shifter.
The engine came out of a truck my father had paired with a C6 4wd, but I'll only be 2wd on the '49er and want overdrive so this thing can be on the road more at the end of the day. Debating between AOD, AODE and E4OD, and found pros and cons of each, and humbly asking for recommendations or experiences you've had that can help point me in the right direction. Want this build thing built right, once, and not going to kick myself down the road wishing I'd gone a different direction.....
Thanks,
Andy

429 SCJ

1949 F2

 

That's gonna be great. I can't answer your specific question, but we have a bunch in common, so felt compelled to respond. I have a 429CJ w/ 460 crank and rods in my '66. Opposite from you, I was looking for a manual, to teach the kids, rather than save the kids. Truck came w/ random buckets, and an early order of business was to get a bench back in, so me and both boys can ride. The middle guy has learned to move his knee over when I give it a tap - mostly when shifting to reverse on my T-18. It's part of the whole, cool, old-school experience.
My only advice, if you can, put some type of limited slip in the backend and for next-level add traction bars. Presumably the engine is not a high rpm race build and you're going to have plenty of torque off the line. With a pickup, the wheels easily break loose and also tend to hop.

 

Yeah, not going to be a high rpm screamer, but plenty of torque to break the rears loose. Mustang II for the front and 4-link with 9” ford in back is the plan. I remember driving dads truck when in high school with his engine/trans combo and was a monster, but want lower RPM’s at highway speed. Manual would be fun, but gotten lazier as the years have passed, and looking for convenience.

 

Out of all the transmissions you've mentioned, the E4OD would be the best (no scratch that, ONLY is appropriate) choice in my opinion for the very simple reason that it is the strongest of the ones you've mentioned. With an engine like that, neither the AOD or AOD-E will live very long behind that big block... that is if it'll even bolt up, since those two transmissions were designed to be bolted up to 5.0/5.8 and 4.6 SOHC engines which utilize a completely different bellhousing bolt pattern than your 429. Not only will the E4OD bolt up to your 429, but the only headache you will encounter is finding a standalone electronic controller to operate it. The only other alternative is to put a C6 behind it, but you've already mentioned your desire for an overdrive for reduced highway RPM drives so I guess that option is out.