ok, here's another potential problem/solution. when i took out the engine, i left the torque converter hooked to the transmission, then when i put in the 351, instead of pulling the two together by the bellhousing bolts, i tightened/started two of the nuts onto the studs on the torque converter. now, since the torque converter spins with the pump in the transmission, is there a possibility that i could have pulled if far enough out that the teeth on the torque converter are not spinning the teeth on the trans pump. If so, then it would make sense and show that the transmission is not building enough pressure to make itself shift, and would then only work in first. am i right in the torque converter/pump configuration, and could this have been done? thanks for all you help again to everyone, i very much appreciate it. just trying to get this thing put back together in time to take it back to school at the end of break.

Thanks
Nick K

 

I'm going to put a 351W in my 90 Bronco that has a 302 with AOD transmission. I've been told you must use a flywheel from a Crown Victoria that had the 351W/AOD. All of the Ford trucks (prior to the E4OD transmission) used the AOD with the 302 and the C6 with the 351W's. 1991 and newer had the E4OD with both engines. None of the 90 and older trucks and Bronco's with the 351W had the AOD. I don't know why you are having the problems you have but I'm told the Crown Victoria flywheel is a must do item for the 351W/AOD combination.

 

sorry (i'm new to this) but what is the difference between the flywheels? and what makes it better, or do you know, because you say you were just told..........? don't mean to come off like me sounding like an @$$, but why does it matter? and does anyone know if this would be causing my problem? (i.e. not mating w/ TQ?) i dont know, thanks for the hellp

 

I'm not sure why. Possibly the flywheel is different enough to affect the placement in or out of the torque converter. Talk to Kemicalburns, he has done the swap and he is the one that says you must use the new flywheel.

 

i thought that all the flywheel was for was to give the starter a place to turn the engine. i didnt know that it had anything to do with an automatic transmission, but i know that on a manual, you have to make sure the flexplate is the same so it connects to the clutch alright, or something like that.

 

I've always left the torque converters in the transmissions, but you MUST make sure that the torque converter is all the way back into the transmission as far as possible. When I pulled/put back in an E4OD tranny a few weeks ago, I put the top 2 bolts in the tranny and 2 underneath, and then I tightened the torque converter to the flywheel.

It's possible that you could have done some pump damage, but I'm honestly not sure. I'm going to look into this further and see what I can find out b/c it's even driving me nuts lol.

 

its driving you nuts? lol........i can easily say that i know what you mean........ thats what our idea is, and im midway in disconnecting the trans to push it back a bit and see if i can push in the torque converter any......hopefully i can and that's what the problem is/was.....anyways, i'll keep everyone posted....thanks for the help!

 

pulled the trans out, converter seemed all the way in and fine, spun right and everything. is the TQ supposed to spin freely? took it out, put it back in, and still nothing different. could it be the flexplate? i dont know, and im at a complete loss.

 

If the flex plate for the AOD is a different thickness (crank flange to torque converter mounting) than the flex plate for the E4OD, it would effect how far the torque converter engages into the trans. If you still have both flex plates, I would measure them. Also, your probably aware of this, but don't use the 302 flex plate on the 351. They have different balance weights. If the above is the problem, that would explain why you need the 351 Crown Vic flex plate. Also, if the above is the problem and the Crown Vic flex plate is big $$$ because it's rare, maybe you can shim (thicker) or machine down (thinner) the 351 flex plate. Just keep in mind how much force you're dealing with, safety, reliability, and engine balance before you go rigging stuff. One towing bill will pay for a lot of parts you'll end up buying anyway if it doesn't work.

 

Here Is Just An Idea To Through Ou There, Which Computer Do U Have In They Truck? The One For The 94 351 Or The 87 302? If Your Using The Newer Computer It Might Be Set To Work With A E40d Trans.

Just An Idea To Through OuT There

 

Fordboy that will have nothing to do with this transmission. The AOD transmission that he is using is not computer controlled.

 

I don't think the Crown Victoria flexplate is rare by any means. It's about $50 at Autozone.

 

Yeah, talked to another tranny guy this morning, he said there is about a 1/4" different thickness between the two flexplates, not allowing the TC to be in the right spot, hence not turning the oil pump correctly, hence not letting it build enough pressure to shift. Pulled the pan today, nothing out of the ordinary in there, no big flakes of metal, only maybe about 1/8 of a teaspoon of small "sparkly spots" in the fluid. Definetly has never been serviced though, still had original gasket and filter, and the fluid was darker than it should have been.

So, pulling the trans tomorrow morning..Trans guy said if the inside shaft that the TC sits on is egg-shaped or scarred, then this whole ordeal driving it like this had probably fried the oil pump in the trans and i'll need a new one, so I hope that didn't happen.

About the flexplate......from what you're saying, if I just get a flexplate from a Crown Victoria from my year of truck, it should bolt right up to my engine. I don't know if this matters, but I know that between 81-90 the 351's had a 28.8oz balance weight, BUT, my engine is from a '94, so does it need the same balance weight or will this be a custom thing. Called everyone else I could think of (Ford, Napa, Machine Shops, Junkyards) and no-one could tell me how much of a balance weight I needed. I would just get one for the '94, but they didn't use an AOD then. Anyways, let me know what you think and let's see if we can't finally get this thing figured out.

Thanks again to everyone so far, sorry for the long post.

 

The Autozone website lists a different flywheel for the 94 Crown Victoria with 351W. It's even cheaper though at $42.

 

So it sounds like we're finally getting somewhere on this one! Lol this has been bugging me for a few days now. Good to know that theres some reliable information floating around out there!