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Affordable headers for 68 AOD conversion?

B

boss351

Member
I am going to throw an AOD in my 68 which has the original 302 converted to modern EFI (via fox mustang). As of right now I have a C4 with long tube headers. These will not work for the AOD, so I am wondering what is a cheap header option for this? I know I probably need shorty's, and I don't care if they are black or what. Anyone have a good recommendation?
 
OK, I don't have any late model AOD experience, so someone enlighten me. why won't the long tube headers work? Is the trans that fat?

Mel
 
I'm using ceramic coated FlowTech Terminators on my '66. It has a 289 with AOD. The driver's side collector flange was very close to the transmission pan, so I just ground a little metal off to get about 1/4" of clearance.

Only problem with these headers is the ground clearance. I have a total of 3" of clearance from the ground to the headers.

I did have some sealing problems on the passenger side head. I double gasketed it, and that took care of the problem.
 
FlowTech Terminators on my '66.
Click to expand...

These are long tubes though, right?


Thanks for the clarification on the 5.0 style shorties, it would be nice if they did fit as they're cheap everywhere.

A local buudy has a '66 with a 302/AOD, I'll ask him what he's using for headers for more options.
 
I sorta wonder if you could stick a piece of pipe in a set of long tubes and spread them out with them on the car so they clear the AOD bell? I've seen this done to get "more" clearance, but of course, if you can't get them on in the first place, that's a pretty dumb idea. :rofl
 
The AOD bell is the same width as a C4 bell ... they both bolt up to the same blocks and fit flush.

The AOD is wider than a C4, but except for maybe some extremely crappy fitting headers (some tri-y's come to mind here), I don't know why one that will work with a C4 wouldn't work with an AOD. The fitment problem is in the h-pipe, not the headers. The H-pipe (or x-pipe) will need more distance between the tubes than you would need for a C4.

Dave, yes, the Flowtech Terminators are long tube headers, which is why I only have 3" of ground clearance.

Check out this picture, to see what I'm talking about. If anything, the C4 has a bigger bell than the AOD, but they are the same exact width.

Ford-transID01.jpg
 
"johnpro" said:
The AOD bell is the same width as a C4 bell ... they both bolt up to the same blocks and fit flush.

The AOD is wider than a C4, but except for maybe some extremely crappy fitting headers (some tri-y's come to mind here), I don't know why one that will work with a C4 wouldn't work with an AOD. The fitment problem is in the h-pipe, not the headers. The H-pipe (or x-pipe) will need more distance between the tubes than you would need for a C4.
Click to expand...

"Everyone" says the AOD is wider and that "C4" headers won't fit. I have been incredulous, too, as the bells have to be the same size...

Looking at your photos, I can see the pan is much wider. Maybe that's where the problem is. Dunno.

Not knowing any better, I purchased a set from FPA where they supposedly specialize in this. But, it's not cheap. If I had it to do over, I'd find some shorties.
 
From my knowledge the pans are wider and that is the major sticking point with long tube headers. The Hooker Comp headers on my 70 with the FMX touch the trans body where the pan meets (passenger side). I don't know how the width of the FMX compares to an AOD, but I'm about 99% sure that the AOD design was based on the FMX trans.

One could heat up the headers and flare them out a bit, but it'll ruin any coating that is on the headers.
 
"gotstang" said:
I sorta wonder if you could stick a piece of pipe in a set of long tubes and spread them out with them on the car so they clear the AOD bell? I've seen this done to get "more" clearance, but of course, if you can't get them on in the first place, that's a pretty dumb idea. :rofl
Click to expand...

I tried doing this with my long tube headers, when I put the new 5.0HO/AOD into my 66 and all I succeeded in doing is bending the dang flange.
 
"buening" said:
From my knowledge the pans are wider and that is the major sticking point with long tube headers.
Click to expand...

That is exactly correct. My headers are extremely close to the transmission pan on the driver's side. I took a grinder and ground off 1/8" or so of metal from the flange and I put that side of the flange towards the pan.

That was the only interference problems I had, and it wasn't realy a problem. I just didn't like how close it was to the pan.
 
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