The gears are low for a performance car, BUT that's what most 5.0s had and they used the AOD. 

Regardless, that's not your problem.  Has he tried shifting it manually?  In most autos the manual valve will override everything else.  If its shifts where he wants when done manually you can say the trans is generally good, and the shifting issue is caused by the TV adjustment, or something else in the valvebody.

The joys of an AOD Shoulda listened to Tubo and built a 4R70W. On my 393W with 3.25 gears, when I set up the oem TV cable per the correct setting (no slack,no pressure), the trans did pretty much what yours did, shifting early and skipping second. On an AOD, if you manually shift from first gear, it goes directly into third. That is unless you do the "AOD shuffle", by shifting from first, then immediately shifting back into first. This causes the trans to use second gear, but is very hard on the intermediate clutch pack and snap ring. However, a few folks online say they've put 100k miles on their AOD using the shuffle shift.

Per a tip online (can't remember if it was Click Click Racing or Baumann or...), I tightened the connector at the carb about an 1/8 inch. They also say to go to 1/4" if needed. The 1/8" made a world of difference, shifted later and also used 2nd gear! 

I recommend switching to 3.70 gears. I swapped in 3.70 gears as when in OD, the final ratio is ~2.50:1. I should have my muffler swap done tonight so I'll be able to check out the 3.70's. If my name was Sally I'd be driving it now w/o mufflers 

Last edited by rpm (10/26/2018 2:30 PM)

I have an AOD in my 65 behind a stock 302 HO, running 3:55 gear set in the rear.  Prior to changing the rear gears I was running 3.00.  It really seemed like the 3,00 was bogging the engine down in OD.  I can't imagine what the 2.75 would be like.  As far as it shifting early, my AOD would do that when the TV cable was set up as per the instructions.  I put more pull into the cable at idle and then took it out for a drive, and added more until it shifted like I thought it should.  Unless someone can show me otherwise, I've read where more pressure is not going to damage the transmission like not enough pressure will.  My AOD has a shift kit installed and I drive it like a stolen 4 speed most of the time.  

My lil parts chaser has the 4L-460 tranny and its always shifted sorta funny!?! I've hesitatant to fool with the TV cable because I've been cautioned "if" they're out of adjustment  it will  damage the tranny!
It shifts from 1st to 2nd about 10mph! Goes from 2nd to third...third to lock-up...lock-up to OD pretty normal(I guess) I mean it has 250,000 on it and I "-oh no I used a word I shouldn't have--u-me" that's normal....its my normal, maybe!?!

I wonder?????.....IF I try tightening the TV cable a few notches would I do any harm???? On the other hand.....250,000 and it pulls/tows/drives just fine the way it is.....hummmmmm???

I do have a shift kit in it and a Corvette(ooops..the secrets out!) servo in it so it will "chirp'em" going into 2nd almost every time without effort.
Maybe "leave-well-enough-alone" would be good advice. Whata y'all think?!
6sal6

With that many miles on it, I think I would try some of that auto transmission additive that is supposed to remove lacquer buildup. I don't think I would mess with the adjustment, though, unless the cable has signs of fraying in which case I would replace it and make it right again. 
JMHO

John

terry wrote:

I have an AOD in my 65 behind a stock 302 HO, running 3:55 gear set in the rear.  Prior to changing the rear gears I was running 3.00.  It really seemed like the 3,00 was bogging the engine down in OD.  I can't imagine what the 2.75 would be like.  As far as it shifting early, my AOD would do that when the TV cable was set up as per the instructions.  I put more pull into the cable at idle and then took it out for a drive, and added more until it shifted like I thought it should.  Unless someone can show me otherwise, I've read where more pressure is not going to damage the transmission like not enough pressure will.  My AOD has a shift kit installed and I drive it like a stolen 4 speed most of the time.  

If you even want to get away from a cable in favor of a TV rod for that, I can help you.    

John
 

John,  you have any pics of that fabulous kickdown rod you speak of?  And how about a price???
 

rpm wrote:

kickdownrod John wrote:

rpm wrote:

 
I agree fully with this info Terry.

Sally, tighten the tv at the carb in 1/8" increments until you're happy with it. You can thank us later.

The only thing that method may create for you is stretching or fraying the cable which is a problem with the cables on AOD setups. They can only take so much tension.

 
C'mon man. Seriously?
So... as many times the throttle gets used thru its full range is ok, but putting 1/8 to 1/4 inch of setup tension will cause it to fray??? I don't buy it.

That tv cable is an ingenious design imo. Why ditch the Ford design which has worked on tens Of thousands of vehicles? There's a reason Ford did away with the rod. Many folks upgrade to a brass bushing due to wear, which I believe is a good idea.

You don't have to buy it. Metal parts have physical limits.
Ford's TV rod design,  the connections of which I've greatly improved, was discontinued because a rod could not be used after 85 due to the fact that EFI unit's throttle lever location was placed on the right side of the engine that could only be actuated with a cable. The more tension you put on a cable over it's intended design tension WILL make it prone to failure via fraying or stretching. A mechanical fact.