1971 F100 Sport Custom w/351W and C6

[mickl]

I'm pretty new to the forum here and also a novice when it comes to these great old Ford trucks. I inherited my truck from my dad who passed away a few years ago. I've rebuilt the Windsor and now I'm trying to decide on whether to stick with the C6 or go with the AOD. I'm leaning towards the AOD because I'd like to drive it more often and the overdrive would provide better mileage I think. My truck has a van rear end which probably came along with the Windsor. The truck originally was built in Canada and had a 300.

I'm new to my local area here, but I've met a transmission guy who is willing to put an AOD in for about $700.00. He looked at my current setup and said that I'm missing my 'TV rod' which he said is not a good thing and told me I shouldn't drive my truck much. He said this runs from the carb to the tranny. I don't drive my pickup too much because I drive my 94 Explorer most of the time.

Could you guys please explain what the TV rod (at least that's what he called it) does? The tranny mechanic said it has something to do with running from the carb to the transmission. Anything I should be aware of needing for the AOD setup. The C6 runs good so far, but slips somewhat in second.

Thanks for comments.

Mike

[Banjo]

my buddy drove my truck 5 years prior to me, very roughly, on this rebuilt C6 and I've had no problems, it's never had a kickdown (passing gear hookup). I also had 71 Cougar w C-6 that never had it hooked up. I'd be leary of a transmission guy calling a kickdown rod for passing gear a TV cable, he's mixing terminologies.

[fordman]

it is called a kickdown rod. and it is only nessary for passing other vehicles. on the highway. when you floor the gas it manually kicks the trans down into secong gear for easier passing.

maybe the guy is a tv transvestite and he was trying to give you a hint.

[mickl]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies and info. I'll do a little more research around the area here for a good place to do the rebuild.

Mike

[MaxKlinger]

So if you don't have a kickdown linkage, the transmission doesn't downshift when you floor it, right?

It's not an issue if you have a ratchet shifter on the floor because then you're choosing the gear manually.

If you have a stock column shifter I would say this could be a serious problem. My '83 had a C6 and when driving normally it would be in 3rd gear by about 25mph. If I was going about 30mph and suddenly needed maximum power (to escape a bad situation) I'd hate to not be able to kick down to 2nd.

[spartman]

The C6 doesn't need the kickdown rod, but the AOD HAS TO HAVE ONE!!!

If you don't have one on the AOD it will burn up the tranny.

The TV rod controls the pressure in the tranny and with it unhooked you are starving the clutches of oil.

[mickl]

Thanks very much for the replies and explanations.

So, the TV rod and kickdown are the same?

Now, if I do decide to go with switching to the AOD, does the TV rod come as part of the rebuild or do I have to order it from a vendor? What ballpark price is reasonable for an AOD rebuild?

Thanks.....

[spartman]

you have to get the rod or cable separately.

They are not exactly the same thing.

on the aod it runs the pressure on the c-6 it only controls kickdown

[mickl]

Thanks for the info......much appreciated....

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[Thunderfoot]

That truck is CLEAN looking... Nice

[mickl]

Thanks, mike58sacco, that's a big help pointing me in the right direction. Thanks Thunderfoot for the comments about the truck. After I get the tranny worked out, then I plan on sanding the truck down and repainting. The truck was originally a two-tone and has some white paint under the green paint, so at some point I'll have to take care of that.

Thanks again for the help.