heart for fairlane

The AODE is the electronically controlled version. The damned thing 'learns' how you drive. Hate them and the electronics can go south taking out the transmission at the same time.

There were several different versions of the AOD, depending on application. Trailer Tow III package cars had a heavier duty version. The truck one came with extra clutches, and depending on the original application, wider bands. If you talk to a transmission shop, they can get a used one from an F150. The salvage yard knows what they pulled it from. Here, they cost about $1,100 to rebuild, and that is the same as the standard C-4 or FMX. To build a C-4 that can live behind a 351 is going to run even more money. The AOD bolts in easily, the over all length is the same as a C-4, but you use the rear cross member mount, not the front. The truck 351 that you have was originally hooked up to the AODE, which means the AOD will slide right onto it, no changes or adapters needed.

The truck Windsor engine blocks were essentially the same as the car blocks of the same displacement, but had deeper skirts. The sides of the block are about an inch lower than on the car blocks. The other thing you sometimes have to watch is that the 351 is a taller block than the 289/302 block. I think the hood lone on the Fairlane/Meteor is tall enough to hold the 351, but you may run into clearance problems with the carb/air filter housing. With the Edelbrock carbs, that often means using a slimmer spacer.

10l/100 kms is 28 miles to the Imperial gallon, which translates to about 24 miles to the U.S. gallon. That's what I am getting from a 78 Thunderbird with a 351M and 3-speed FMX transmission. The 351W/AOD in your Meteor, with a good 2 1/4 inch dual exhaust and Edelbrock Performer intake and carb should give you something like 42 mpg Imperial, or about 37 mpg U.S.

 

Thanks that helps, here a complete c-4 rebuild is 400.00 if it's out . Abe's garage Chester S.C. about an hour away. It would pay ya'll(you guys) to ship down yonder (there). little southern english I'll check with my junk yard and also talk to Freddie at Abes
Thanks again
Papa Caudell

 

Is that $400 for a standard rebuild of a C-4? If so, it won't last worth a tinker's damn behind a late model 351. The 79 302 was putting out 134 horse, 235 ft/pounds at 1,650. By the late 80s, the 351W was doing 215 horse, 390 ft/pounds at 2,200. The torque of the 351, by the time you do an Edelbrock intake and carb, and a high torque cam, will eat a standard C-4, and rebuilding to take the torque of the 351 will cost considerably more. Don't forget the gas mileage, too. The AOD will give fuel economy like you won't believe. At the price of gas, even with an up charge to start, you'll save a good chunk of change. If you plan on driving her regularly, you could save the up charge in 6 months or less, and everything else from there on is gravy.

 

I GUESS I KEEP FORGETTING THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I'M USE TOO. THIS IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO ME ,BUT HEY I'M LEARNING. CUT ME A LITTLE SLACK , BUT AS I,VE LEARNED WITH MY GRANDKIDS YELLING DOES NOTHING. I'M IN SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT AOD. JUST GONNA TAKE TIME. BUT I HAVE TO WEIGH ALL MY OPTIONS. YOUR INFORMATION HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IN THIS SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT COMBINATION, AND I APPRECIATE IT.
RIGHT NOW AT 10:00 ITS 100 DEGREES SO MY DAY IS SHORTER AND BETWEEN PAINTING THE 36 THE DUALLY AND FLAMING THE H.D. TIN I HAVE NO TIME FOR THE FAIRLANE EXCEPT A LITTLE DURING THE DAY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND GET I HOPE INTELIGENT ANSWERS. WONT BE LONG THOUGH I CAN APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE I'M GETTING.
THANKS AGAIN
PAPA CAUDELL