What should I do?

Alright, I'm thinking on 4 different things to do w/ my Maverick... Please keep in mind I don't have a lot of money, but lots or time. I have access to a 302 w/ an AOD tranny for $100. Motor runs good. Tranny works, but makes some noise. I currently have a 200/C4 in my Maverick, runs like a freight train.

 

buy the 302 and AOD, get the proper bell housing and put the 302 in with your current C4 and save up to have the AOD tranny rebuilt later.

 

I agree 100% with DaMadman...that AOD noise could end up being expensive to fix. Other than the noise, I would say to put it in now, but then I fear you will have to fork out a crapload of money ($500+) to fix it when the "noise" becomes a "break" in the tranny.

 

Other than the bell housing, what else do I need to convert my C4 to fit a V8?

Also, how do I get a bell housing? New or used? Price range?

 

You'll need the bell(get a used one)and probably a converter.If the engine is an '80-81-up make sure the flywheel will fit in whatever bell you get.

 

You say there is nothing wrong with the 200 that's in there... I would leave the 200 in there for now while you save up the money to have the AOD rebuilt, and then swap the 302 and AOD at the same time. You're going to spend more money to adapt the current C4 in the car then it's worth, and that will be just a temporary fix until you have the AOD rebuilt. Then do even more work swapping the AOD back in, when you could just wait until you have all your ducks in a row in the first place.

 

Use the C-4 from the I-6. You can always get a V-8 version, or have that one beefed-up later...

 

Listen to Jamie ... why blow money on a bell housing, flywheel, torque converter, shifter linkage, etc .... to put in a V8 and attach it to your 200 C4? Save up ... fix the AOD and do the conversion in one shot ...

 

Jamie gives good advice. Sounds like he is speaking from experience.

 

302/aod.

 

i dont think its been mentioned yet but you'll need new frame mounts( $100) for a 302 since your cars set up for an I6. i would just be slowly gathering all the parts for the swap. engine, trans, mounts, headers etc. you cold probably do it all at once over a week. is this a EFI 5.0? i think you'll need a in tank fule pump if so along with some other fuel system mods unless your swapping to a carb'd intake. the AOD needs a diffrent crossmember i believe too. as far as the I6 build parts are pretty expensive and it'll get really expensive before your ever making v8 hp and tq with 3 litres but then again iam a big fan of a nicly built 6. something diffrent than the million sb fords you see at the carshows

either way, goodluck

 

Making a C4 from a 200 six work behind a 302 is the least of your problems when you are considering the swap from a six to the V8.
The C4 will need a bell housing, a converter, a flex plate, a direct clutch drum, and a good rebuild. To swap the engine you will need a starter, belly bar, frame mounts, engine mounts, the engine, a radiator shroud, a three core radiator, exhaust system, and wiring. The tranny mods are about $100 plus a torque converter. If you do the rebuild yourself or with the help of a good friend (see the thread "how to Hot Rod Your C4 transmission" in the transmission forum under the technical forum) it will cost a maximum of $200. A stock converter is available for $50. $350 and your tranny is ready to go. It takes about 8 hours to go through the C4 and make all the mods. It is going to take you at least a couple of weekends to put the engine in.
In my book its a no brainer - either keep what you have or do the V8 swap with the C4.

On another note: That noise in the AOD might just be a cracked or broken flex plate. $50 in parts and R&R the tranny and its fixed. It might be a lot worse though.

 

That's pretty much what I was planning on doing. I'm getting a new job in a week or so and then I'll be working two jobs, making alittle over twice what I was making previous. I should have the money to do this in a couple months. Right now, I'm just getting an idea of how much it's going to set me back. Also, I'm mainly consentrating on getting the Mav painted next week. I still have to save up for the vinyl top, but that shouldn't take long.

 

Also, thanks everyone for your help! As far as the AOD is concerned, I really want to get that in anyway. It would be interesting to see the look on people's faces when they hear it has an automatic tranny with Overdrive. Not exactly something you see everyday.

But please, you guys, don't stop there. The more I listen, the more I learn

 

I already knew about the parts I needed for the engine, thanks to the know-how of my brother, Mark. He had a 71 Grabber w/ a 302 he installed. As a matter of fact, I think he said he had some of those parts he'd be willing to give me.

Now, what about this transmission mount? I saw someone had fabricated their own. Could I do the same, as I have a welder and a lot ofsteel?