Rebuilding a 65 Ford, The fellow doing the work says that I can choose between a C6 and an FMX, I thought that their was a non electronic auto tranny from Ford that had overdrive. Please tell me if I'm wrong, and if I'm not then please explain how to do this work because it is something I would be interested in.

Thanks Mike M.

 

Yes there is an AOD.

 

THe AOD is the sucessor to the C4. The FMX is a decent tranny, but the C6 is practically bullet proof. THe C6 takes more HP to move, hence lower gas mileage. What's in your truck now? I've got an 89 F-250 4x4 and it still has the original tranny in it at 115000 miles. I've had it 7 years and it's been perfect. I love the tranny.

Barry

 

The truck currently has no tranny. It will be running a mildly tuned 351W. I am trying to decide on the best transmission for the job. I have a 73 mustang coupe with a 351C that has a 3 speed automatic (FMX I believe) I just feel the extra cog would be nice for highway cruising I know that the three speed works good until a steady cruise over 65 MPH. It would be nice to have overdrive.
Will I need to wire anything special to use the AOD? If it will take a great deal of wiring then I don't want to do it.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think the AOD is electronic. It may have some wiring, but not much. THe E4OD is a fully electronic tranny and that succeeded the C6. Both of these trannys had big teething problems when they were introduced. In the early 80's I worked at L-Merc and we had cars that came in on the hook with the guts literally blown out the bottom. Those suckers fried big time.
The E4OD was a nightmare also. In 98-99 we would replace 3-4 a week. They'd come back and there'd be no forward gears. You'd have to wind the hell out of them to get them on the lift. WE'd unbolt them and just swap a black box reman into them. They were just burnt!

Barry

 

There are two versions of an AOD. With or without electronics.
Stay away from the E4OD. It weighs more than your engine and not very good.
The AOD if done properly will take lots of ponies.

 

I'll defer to Stuart when it comes to Ford automatics, because he's forgotten more than I will ever know, and he's from Saskatchewan! However, there is a cost issue with the AOD, and Stuart also knows more about this than I. When I was considering a swap from NP435 to an automatic, I concluded that the best route for me was a rebuilt C6 and a Gear Vendors O/D. This was true ONLY because I found a used GV unit with C6 adapter for less than half the price of a new one (about $1500 Canadian). Otherwise the price would have been prohibitive. Just an idea...
Eric

 

Mike, Both the FMX & C6 are good trannys, The FMX is older technology than the C6. The C6 is considered bullet proof and was used for many years after the FMX was discontinued.

The AOD is a direct boltup to your 351W, but is considered a light weight compaired to the C6. If it's a crusor you're building the AOD is what I would recommend, but for a working work truck go with the C6.

John

 

I'd like to add a few things to this thread, if I may.
There are actually 3 styles of AOD for small blocks. Series #1 from early '80s thru '86, Series #2 from '87 thru early/mid '90s & "infamous E4AOD" from mid 90s on. All have some degree of electronics involved.

Of all 3, I vote for series #2 (87 to about 93). It has a rear pump supplying oil to the planetaries series #1 lacked, making series #1 weaker of the 2. The 3rd, or E4AOD is a troublesome, heavy, expensive, cantankerous transmission. I'd avoid that one.

As for FMX fmx has a Cast Iron gear case altho' the tail shaft & bellhsg are alloy. If heat is the nemisis of A/T's then the FMX is not the best choice of A/T IMHO. . . .
Besides that probability/ potential for trouble, the FMXs are, as mentioned, Old Tech, & also have less advantageous and more limited choices of gearing ratios.

Of course during take off, torque converters make low gear variable to some extent, but there's still a low gear primary ratio which comes into play after sprag locks T/C up. That numerical mechanical advantage makes a difference getting moving. The primary ratio for large capacity Vans (E Series) with small blocks is generally very much advantageous over other low gear, or primary ratios.

So based on above, between choices under consideration/ mentioned in this thread, I would say C-6 is better than FMX, especially if it's out of a 12 or 14 passenger Van that came with a 351W or a 300 I-6 A/T. and among the choices of AOD, the second series, 87 to 94/95 or so, but have it "gone thru' B4 Installing & tell the builder what you plan to use it for. He can "upgrade" is above Passenger car status. . . .

I run a C-5 behind my 460, it's not AOD and it has an incredibly low primary ratio, it's been "upgraded" for competition drag racing. It's a whole different deal than C-6, FMX or any AOD. With a 460 I pull really tall rear gears so I'm not concerned with AODs.

FBp

 

Fordboypete whered you find a c5 that will bolt up to the 460, I have been looking for one for my next project maybe I am not looking under the right hoods

 

quote " Of all 3, I vote for series #2 (87 to about 93). It has a rear pump supplying oil to the planetaries series #1 lacked, making series #1 weaker of the 2. The 3rd, or E4AOD is a troublesome, heavy, expensive, cantankerous transmission. I'd avoid that one. " end quote

Rear pumps went out when the FMX came on the scene.
Anything after that only has one pump, the front one.

The early AOD did not have any electronics.
There is a stand alone electronic kit available for the later AODE.

 

I have a 351W from a 96 f100 in my 66. It's mated to a AOD from an LTD. I had it rebuilt and "beefed up" for towing purposes. I run 4.11 gears and cruise at 75mph at 2500 RPM. I had to do a little work to the crossmember, get a custom driveshaft, and figure out which flywheel to use, to make it work. I think it's worth it for the overdrive, especially considering gas prices.

Greg

 

''Like this?

 

What is a good replacement for a 96 F250 2wd extended cab?