Transmission Upgrade

[Steino]

Thanks to a "durable" rubber gromet, my overdrive went out on my 90 LSC. I'm going to rebuild it, but should I replace it with something newer?

[This message has been edited by Steino (edited December 19, 2000).]

[Lscman]

No. The AOD is a fine OD transmission and good for about 125K miles or more between rebuilds, unless the failing soft grommit drops the cable end and you don't notice slippage or the downshift detent dissappearing. The AOD-E is it's electronically shifting descendant used in the Mark VIII. It is difficult to retrofit and requires a special & expensive electronic adapter to shift it. It will not last much longer anyway. Just be sure your rebuilder uses a good rebuild kit. They can spend $45 for crap or $70 for premium quality. I'd recommend an "A" overdrive servo assy used on T-Bird Super Coupes and late AOD trucks too. Baumann transmission will provide all the info to make it stronger than OEM stock without destroying the shift quality.

[pro-five-oh]

When you get the tranny rebuilt get a higher stall torque converter. I got a 2000-2200 stall converter from B&M and it really made my 3500lb Cougar launch quicker. The Thunderbird S/C "A" servo is also a must. I spent a lot of money and got a high performance rebuild kit with a carbon-fiber OD band and other goodies, but it was probably a waste of money in the long run.

Get a mild shift kit put in, though. That one was worth every penny. http://www.lincolnsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

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pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7 5.0 HO
83 Continental

[Steino]

Since I live in Southern California, do you recommend adding a external tranmission radiator for cooling?

[hmplslncln]

Pro-five-oh,Watch out what you say on here, they are a little touchy when you start taking away from that "Lincoln" comfort.

I personally went with a T5!!

http://www.geocities.com/lewis338/humpless.jpg

[This message has been edited by hmplslncln (edited December 21, 2000).]

[Lscman]

Steino,
Are you pulling a trailer or anything radical? As I mentioned earlier, a stock quality rebuild will last 120K miles easily. An external heavy duty transmission cooler is seldom necessary on an AOD because they lock in 3rd and 4th gear which eliminates slip and resulting heat. I have road raced mine on the track for approximately 10K track miles and 120K total miles since the last rebuild with stock quality parts. The fluid has not been changed and does not look or smell burned. You seem concerned about the longevity of these transmissions. Don't forget yours failed due to loss of line pressure from a TV cable that came loose. If you had a cooler and high performance clutches it would have been destroyed anyway. Thank goodness it didn't ruin a recent rebuild when it happened. The 2000 RPM stall converter is an excellent option, as is a mild shift kit to reduce overlap slip and increase longevity. Another worthwhile mod to the valve body allows wide open throttle in OD. Most shift kits have this feature for the AOD.

[Lscman]

A Tremec or T-5 conversion is an excellent option for a Mark VII, if you prefer shifting. I wish my car had one, since all but one of my previous cars had sticks. I have a buddy that rebuilds AOD for peanuts and I couldn't resist. The only drawback to a manual IMHO is resale potential. It provides a whopping 3/4 second improvement in the 1/4 mile with no other mods and the result is much sweeter than the gutless 5 speed 190 HP turbo Coupe T-Bird. I have manual pedal assy's, T-5 tranny's, clutches, flywheels and bell housings for sale, if you want to go that route. I've seen several different ways to finish off the console with the conversion.

[Eyelawdoc]

Once you get your transmission fixed, get a brass grommet to replace the plastic one that failed. Paul Becker at www.svpu.com (http://www.svpu.com) sells them for $3.00. They should also be available locally at any Ford or LM dealer.