As some of you know, I'm acquiring an '81 LTD "tudor" and as part of the project of eliminating the allegedly anemic 255ci motor, I'm planning to drop in my 5.0L/C4 combo I've been running in the '79 wagon that's going byebye. I know the C4 doesn't have overdrive (duh), but this particular unit is about two years old and has been used pretty gently, plus I spent $550 on it and want to get use out of it in addition to having a solid, reliable transmission in the new car. Some of this stuff has come up before, but I'd really like to get it answered in a single thread.
Question number one: What, if anything, will I need to modify in the shift linkage to make the thing work? I've got the C4 driveshaft, so that's a nonissue if lengths, etc. don't match up, but the shift linkage looks like much more of a pain to harvest and I'm wasting a lot of my time getting the door wiring out intact (I'm no good at interiors). I ask this particularly because ads for aftermarket shifters always say they're for a C4 or C6 only and need a special kit in order to use them with an AOD.
Question number two: Is it possible to increase the automatic shift points to 5000 rpm without changing the torque converter? I've been told it doesn't use a governor to monitor shift points, and I know that the kickdown rod should have nothing to do with WOT upshifts. I know about the adjustable vacuum modulator (and yes, the one supplied with the rebuilt tranny is indeed adjustable), but I *think* that's only for raising or lowering shift points very slightly. I want to raise them by 1000 rpm, as this transmission has always shifted with the engine at 4000 rpm (stock reman 12" converter) but the E7 headed, Explorer-cammed 302 should definitely have usable power above this point (simulated HP peak falls around 4500). Is there a simple upgrade I could get from my local speed shop that would allow it to shift at ~4800rpm or higher?
Question number one: What, if anything, will I need to modify in the shift linkage to make the thing work? I've got the C4 driveshaft, so that's a nonissue if lengths, etc. don't match up, but the shift linkage looks like much more of a pain to harvest and I'm wasting a lot of my time getting the door wiring out intact (I'm no good at interiors). I ask this particularly because ads for aftermarket shifters always say they're for a C4 or C6 only and need a special kit in order to use them with an AOD.
Question number two: Is it possible to increase the automatic shift points to 5000 rpm without changing the torque converter? I've been told it doesn't use a governor to monitor shift points, and I know that the kickdown rod should have nothing to do with WOT upshifts. I know about the adjustable vacuum modulator (and yes, the one supplied with the rebuilt tranny is indeed adjustable), but I *think* that's only for raising or lowering shift points very slightly. I want to raise them by 1000 rpm, as this transmission has always shifted with the engine at 4000 rpm (stock reman 12" converter) but the E7 headed, Explorer-cammed 302 should definitely have usable power above this point (simulated HP peak falls around 4500). Is there a simple upgrade I could get from my local speed shop that would allow it to shift at ~4800rpm or higher?
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