I installed an AOD in place of a C-6 behind a 88 E-150 with a 351w. all connections went well with minor mods to drive shaft and cooler lines. The AOD is out of a 89 Crown Vic. I have modified to linkage to work fine with the AOD. The problem is the Throttle Valve cable, I used a cable, bracket and lever off a 90 E150 with an AOD. I have read all I can find about setting the tv, but no luck, it will go 1st to second just fine, then seem to get stuck in second until motor is about wound out and line pressure on tranny is 50psi or higher, I have got it to go into 3rd and 4th at 45mph by bumping the throttle from idle to floor, but I cannot get it consistently and it will not downshift from 3 or 4 until almost stopped. The transmission ran fine when I took it out of the crown, but I cant seem to get the line pressure to stay above 24 at idle, maybe I have the fluid to high and getting air bubbles.
Any Ideas.

 

AOD TV pressure should be set to 30 psi [plus or minus 3 psi.]. The higher psi, later it will shift. Lower psi, earlier it will shift.

Here's the bad part about mix matching TV bracket and lever and passenger car AOD.

let's start with TV bracket and lever.
Ford do have more than 4 different kind of bracket, and lever for AOD trans in trucks. [ don't ask why ].
make sure you got the correct bracket and lever and make sure the TV cable have full travel.

Throttle body
There are different throttle body for 300, 302, and 351 for each transmission.
I learn the hard way when I hook up TV cable on my 300 6 cyl EFI, then I switch to throttle body that came out of AOD 6 cyl motor and viola..it works.

Passenger Car AOD
Not a very good idea to be install on Ford trucks since the valve body, governor and some internal parts are different from truck trans.
Passenger car AOD are design to shift earlier and softer than Truck AOD. Passenger car TV pressure are set lower than Truck TV pressure.

If you're stuck with passenger car AOD then you'll have to experiment with TV cable to get desire shifting pattern.

FYI...

TV pressure must reads zero psi when trans are in neutral or park.
Install TV block guage to TV cable at throttle body and set pressure to 30 psi [ plus or minus 3 psi]. I like 30 to 33 psi.
remove the block guage and observe the reading. the pressure should return to zero psi immediately.
If it doesn't read zero psi immediately then repeat above process few times. if it fails then you have internal valve body malfunctioning. ....aka..sticking throttle valve, worn bore..etc..etc...

 

The tv pressure was 27 pounds with the trans in N and at idle with a .397 spacer on the linkage, I tried to get the pressure above 27 but that was its max: I think the aod might be worn out. I have decided to put the c-6 back in due to time constraints I have to go out of state for 2 weeks and I need to return the van to my grandfather because it has the hoist mechanism for his power chair built into it. And after reading your reply I will re-evaluate and properly plan before I attempt to install an overdrive tranny in this vehicle. My grandfathers would like an overdrive for better mileage, but he rarely reaches speeds above 40mph, maybey once a month if that. So the OD is not really necessary, but he loves to modify and change vehicles and will not buy a new one because his van is exactly how he wants it, except the OD.
I am considering putting a electronically controlled overdrive trans. in it. My step mom owns a scrap yard so findind a donor should be easy, and as I have learned not just any aod will work. Also I have read online that you can add the electronic control to the 1988 ford computer with aftermarket wiring. I am not sure how difficult it would be, but after dealing with about a tv cable and various configurations a computer is looking a lot better.
If you have any info on an electronic trans as far as adapting to a 351W I would greatly appreciate it. I am great with motors and can build them all day, but like many people the words automatic transmission bring blank stares, I can change fluid/filter adjust bands/ and remove install them but as beyond that they are a mystery. I should get a few books and read all I can.

Thank You
Dan