AOD to C4 conversion.

[82LTDQS]

Ok. I LOVE my AOD, but its getting old, slipping, and I HATE that damn kickdown lever crap. I知 thinking of going with a performance C4. I知 also planning on using 3.73 gears for your information. Here are my questions:

1. Will the C4 be a direct fit as far as replacement goes?
2. Does the C4 use a kickdown lever or just a vacuum signal?
3. It appears that they are stronger and cheaper, is that correct?
4. I used to be a Chevy guy. Are they comparable to the TH350 as far as reliability?
5. No overdrive, I don稚 do much HWY driving. For those of you that have done this, do you recommend it????

Thanks in advance.

[88grandmarq]

AOD doesnt use a kick down... it uses a TV rod or cable, depending on the year.

personally, I like the AOD... Cheap and easy to build. and parts are dime a dozen.

[Tiggie]

C4's are good stuff. Very reliable. Never had problems from one, but I'm just a daily driver, not a racer.

C4 uses a kickdown and a vacuum modulator.

With 3.08 gears, you should be okay without OD if you don't frequent the interstate. Over 60 MPH, and you'll be missing it. But I mean your car is a '65 Pontiac, so no overdrive would be period correct in an automatic!

You're main question, direct replacement, I can't answer. It will bolt up to the engine, as long as you're not using one of the 5-Bolt Bellhousing super early units ('64 to early '65). The mount I'm not sure about. Be careful with the bellhousing you chose, you need the big bellhousing to use your current flexplate (164T) (or buy a new flexplate).

[Grand Marquis GT]

A performance AOD isn't much more, bolts in directly, AND you get overdrive!

[85crownHPP]

see if you have 2 sets of tranny crossmember mounts - if so, the other two might be for a C-4 application. Might require a different length driveshaft though....

[import convert]

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=23935&highlight=shifter

good thread i found since i want to put a C4 in my merc. it might work out better for me htough since my motor makes powere where my rpms are at 70 anyways. im still getting 14-15mpg using just htird since my 4th gear died

[1987cp]

Thanks for reminding me of my lack of progress on my C4-equipped car.

Definitely uses the same transmission mount, so far as I can recall ......

You're currently running a 2150 carburetor, correct? I can probably get you the necessary C4 kickdown-rod-attachment doohickey off of one I have ..... (I had to order Edelbrock's Ford kickdown kit to take its place when I went 4V)... or do you already have the correct provision already in place? I guess I can learn that by looking at the 255 I still have taking up space ...

[DuceAnAHalf]

you can re use your drive shaft and flexplate as long as you use the 164-tooth bell housing.

as was mentioned if you have two sets of crossmember holes (you should as long as your car is a 90 or older) you just use the front holes.

transmission mount is the same

[82LTDQS]

I dont want to have do deal with that AOD cable alignment crap. Im tired of thinking that my Trans is gona fry if I dont set tha cable right.

[import convert]

i think the kickdown on the C4 is strickly to drop a gear when you hit hte throttle instead of controling oil pressure.

other thing is to get a forward manual valvebody and you can manually shift gears or put it in "D" and itll act like a auto again. one fomr TCI on summit was like 160 roughly. thats what im gonna get

[DuceAnAHalf]

i wouldnt run a manual valve body with a coloum shifter. Way too easy to jump past gears.

I dont know about teh TCI MVB's but with my PA it is full manual, it wont shift on its own.

[82LTDQS]

I have a B&M floor shifter. When I look up AOD's theyare so much more expensive. Even a performance C$ seems cheaper than a rebuilt AOD.

[import convert]

i wouldnt run a manual valve body with a coloum shifter. Way too easy to jump past gears.

I dont know about teh TCI MVB's but with my PA it is full manual, it wont shift on its own.

i think that depends on which valve bbody you run though. forwad manuals give you both options and i think you can get a full manual whichyou need to shift all the time

[1987cp]

I know I'd be way afraid of accidentally shifting into Neutral with a forward-manual valvebody and column shifter. Do you know of anyone who's run a column shifter with a reverse-manual valvebody?

[import convert]

nope, i wouldnt do it either. rather put a floor shifter int he car while the AOD is in it and then work on the C4 install once i know the floor shifter works