Engine swap dilema?
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Engine swap dilema?
I have read other posts on this subject and have made up my mind, sort of. A little history....I have a '90 F150 with a 5.0 EFI and a AOD tranny with at least 166k on them. After doing some heavy hauling this summer I noticed that the trans would not down shift out of OD and was slipping. Now the engine has developed problems, hesitation, caughing under load, does burn oil. I have decided to transplant a 5.8 in place of the 5.0 but I am not sure if I should stick with the EFI or get carbed since I would be upgrading the valvetrain to a bigger stouter cam and also possibly upping the compression a bit. Also I know that the trans needs to replaced but I am not sure what the best replacement is. I have head that the AOD will not hold up to the 351. Currently this is only a back and forth to work, 2 miles through town, truck. It is not my primary vehicle so fuel milage is not too important at this time.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am eager to get started.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am eager to get started.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
If you're just driving it to and from work, the cheapest solution may be to go with a C6. The AOD can be built to take just about anything a 351 could throw at it, but it'll cost. I would do EFI personally, way less trouble in the long run and an easier swap since you already have it in the truck.
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That was what I was thinking as far as the EFI. It just seems like when it does go out it could take some time and effort to find out what sensor gave up. I forgot to mention that this is a 4x4. Will the C6 still bolt up without any other mods beign done? As for the EFI I have read that the current 5.0 brain will run the 5.8 but not as efficiently. Any idea?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
It would as long as you find a C6 from a 4x4 of similar vintage (i.e. using the same type xfer case). Yes you can use the 302 ECU but would probably want a 351 unit for the long-term, although given what you are using it for, it may not make much diff.
The speed-density setup that is used on your truck is pretty simple. A full explanation of every sensor, what it does, and how to diagnose it can be found at fordfuelinjection.com. They are also very reliable. I've put a combined 500K miles on mine and the only sensor I have had to replace is the EVP sensor, about $25 and will not make the truck stop running.
The speed-density setup that is used on your truck is pretty simple. A full explanation of every sensor, what it does, and how to diagnose it can be found at fordfuelinjection.com. They are also very reliable. I've put a combined 500K miles on mine and the only sensor I have had to replace is the EVP sensor, about $25 and will not make the truck stop running.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
you efi harness will hook right up to and efi 5.8 , the C6 is an option. I have an AOD behind my 5.8 and it works great. the key to this tranny is to not drive in OD below 55mph and never tow in od with this tranny. Are you sure your tranny is not the E4od, is there an overdrive button on the dash or end of shifter? also you will need a flexplate from an 80's crownvictoria running 5.8/AOD combo if infact you have that tranny. most if not all AOD's were fazed out by end of 89.
this is an easy swap and well worth it though.
this is an easy swap and well worth it though.
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There are no overdrive buttons so I'm sure it is an AOD. I'm not really sure if the tranny is slipping or not. After hauling a fw overly heavy loads, couldn't get above 45 at full throttle, I noticed that at highway speeds in overdrive it would feel like the tranny would slip from time to time. Looking at it now the way the engine is feeling under any type of load, it might have been the motor since it is exactly the same feeling. That is one of the reasons I have thought about a carb because I can tune them an know exactly what the engine is doing. I guess I need to get up to speed on EFI.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
you are not to tow in OD with the AOD tranny period. its not built for that at all, the 5.8 will cure your power needs but the tranny already sounds like its in bad shape. if the AOD is built properly with a 3" kevlar OD band and some other internal upgrades it will handle anything you throw at it. also adding a remote filter and larger cooler is needed as well.
I would start with a tranny flush and filter change, have a tranny shop adjust the tv cable in hopes things will behave but no promises, and do not drive in OD under 55mph in any condition towing or not. this is a fact for the AOD
I would start with a tranny flush and filter change, have a tranny shop adjust the tv cable in hopes things will behave but no promises, and do not drive in OD under 55mph in any condition towing or not. this is a fact for the AOD
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by Kemicalburns
you are not to tow in OD with the AOD tranny period. its not built for that at all, and do not drive in OD under 55mph in any condition towing or not. this is a fact for the AOD
WOW.. Would you mind explaining how the AOD in my truck has survived nearly 7 years breaking all those rules, most of that time with a 351 in front of it? I also drove my '89 with the 302/AOD combo the same way, towed a double sled trailer all winter, and always selected OD from the moment I left the driveway. Neither of these trannys had/has any problems...
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
is it the stock tranny or been rebuilt at some point. do a search there is many instances of this. the E4od is a different story of course. I cant explain how yours has lasted so long, why do some engines go 300k miles and others only last 150k. its just the nature of the beast i guess