Well, let's not get into a manual vs. automatic debate too much on this fella's thread. Everyone has a preference and that's just fine.

I placed a bid on an AOD on Ebay that a shop down in Florida beefs up and sells cheap. Haven't been able to look and see what the previous owner did to get the C6 to swap in, but I hope it isn't too big a job to fix it back.

I am still fuzzy on whether or not a 302 intake manifold will actually fit on my 351W, though. Mebbe I'll start a thread to find out for certain since my searches have not really answered that question conclusively.

Anyway, can't wait for the new tranny with overdrive. I'm already up to about $5,000.00 cash in this truck and am looking at another $5k over the next couple of months. Then $5k more for the finishing touches over the summer.

Wife ain't too happy with me, but that's not a first.

 

No it won't fit.

 

Shoot. So much for easy to find 5.0 EFI manifolds to stick on it.

Reckon I'll try to find a 351w in a junk yard somewhere, but I think it is pretty hard to find one.

Hate to cough up $600.00+ for an aftermarket, but if I must I must.

 

PM or e-mail uncle.stosh and ask him the availability, he may be able to get ya one
from a jy pretty easily.

 

Will do! Hope he can get me hooked up with a MAF manifold for my project.

 

I haven't had any problems with my AOD and it has 151000 miles on it. I did have one problem though...but i brought it in and had it flushed, the problem went away. Do you think i should get a cooler for it?

 

If your truck has over 150K miles on it, with the original AOD, I wouldn't do ANYTHING different!

 

How long do AOD's usually last?

 

I've heard 70,000 miles max.That's about when my dad's AOD crapped out.Cause when he bought his truck it had 80,000 on it,and he bought it with the C6 already swapped in.

 

Totally not true!! They will last as long as any tranny but it all depends on maintenance and the driver.

 

Yea,but who actually maintains their vehicles like they should these days?Alot of people think they can just hop in the vehicle and everything will be fine without maintaining it.WRONG.Without regular care and maintenance,the AOD doesn't last as long as say the C6 without maintenance.

 

I maintain mine VERY well. lol

 

the C6 is the better of the two trannys. It can take a hell of a lot of abuse

 

You're one of the few.lol.

 

This AOD vs. C6 topic has been beat to death on these boards. The bottom line is if you can live with the poor gas mileage of the non-OD C6 then go for it; most people would do fine with the AOD. The AOD has the advantage of direct drive in 3rd and 4th gears which = no additional heat when towing (in 3rd of course). I had a Performance Automatic rebuilt AOD in a 4500lb car ('82 351 Police LTD) that I beat the snot out of for 210,000 miles and it never failed (the converter did however). The trans would still catch second the day I cut the car up. BTW, the only thing wrong with the OE trans at 118,000 miles was that the park gear linkage failed and I wasn't comfy using only the E-Brake when parking. All I ever did to the rebuilt trans was a filter and fluid change every few years. My 93 5.0 HO Cougar has an AOD w/90K miles, one fluid/filter change and no trouble. Conversely, the “strong” C6 in my '73 Mach 1 did fail (busted internal parts) and needed a $$ rebuild. I must be the exception to the rule?? Keep the AOD, add a large cooler (keep the one in the radiator too) and have it rebuilt (when needed) by a competent shop, doing the recommended shift kit and modifications to strengthen it.