AOD Warning - Page 2

bnward · 08-07-2009, 10:51 PM

I too put "professionally built" (Performance Automatic Transmission Co) AOD in my 1956 F-100 behind my mild 302. I read about setting the TV cable. I bought all the hardware as a complete "Kit" from PATC, installed the trans and it would NOT go in any gear just sat and wined. Called them and the "builder" told me I probably put the converter in wrong. I pulled the trans (had a transmission guy) check the front pump all was OK. reinstalled same thing. Called again they said I could send it back (my expense) and they would "take a look at it". Finally I took it upon myself to void the warranty and dropped the pan and valve body, GUESS WHAT I found? the gasket for the valve body was SO misaligned one screw made a new hole 3/16" from the original hole, none of the passages could possibly line up, I bought a new gasket, reinstalled the valve body and pan and the trans has worked ever since. Careless, thoughtless, shoddy workmanship. I called them and said what I found, they were not impressed, it took 3 phone calls to even get a check for the two gaskets. Not a place I'll go back to for anything. I thought it was just my bad luck.

I think the AOD warning was well done.

Bob

Found a picture I took at the time of tear down/repair. Worst misaligned hole is upper right corner.

Crash · 08-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonK

Hmmm, I'm about to install my PATC AOD that I bought second hand uninstalled, now I'm debating just taking it to a local trans shop and having them tear it down/verify that carbonfiber bands, etc. were used and that there isn't any trash in it. Wonder what that'll cost me?

I paid <$750 for the trans. a year ago so I guess a well shifting stock one would go for near that.
I also want to make sure if I manually shift it that it'll shift 1-2-3 and not 1-3 as I've heard they will do stock?

I was going to pick up a gauge to do the adjustment myself but if I have a shop tear through it first I'll pay the $50 towing and have them adjust it also for piece of mind and maybe some type of guarantee...
Thoughts?
Jon

I support your inclination to have a builder you trust go through the tranny and check everything out. When I heard Nick's story, I approached PATCO about letting my local guy verify their build. I offered to pay for it, but they would have to pay if he found something wrong. They refused, telling me to just install it and they'd take care of any problems. Had I gone ahead and had my guy go through it, I would have voided the warranty. So, I took my chances.

You have no warranty, so I would go ahead and pay for a teardown / inspection. I know that makes your purchase less of a bargain, but you have to decide if it's worth the gamble. If it does fail, it could cost even more to have it fixed later, plus there's the hassle of R&R of the tranny.

cmayna · 08-11-2009, 07:43 PM

Since I installed an AOD into my daughter's 65 with a vacuum gauge connected to the port, I cannot imagine installing one without. It is possible though that the supplier of Bashes AOD did something wrong and no matter how well and correctly you adjusted the TV, you were destined to a failure.

Crash · 11-16-2009, 11:26 AM

Update:

The transmission has been rebuilt for a second time, now. The first rebuild failed again in short order. The main shaft was twisted this time, too. My guy said the only thing left that could cause the problem is the valve body.

This time it has a hardened shaft from TCI, the wide reverse drum and the 2” OD band. It has the proper governor valve. It also has a “custom” valve body built by Silver Fox Transmissions.

It finally works like it was supposed to originally. Late and firm upshifts. Third is not stacked on top of second. OD holds. It downshifts smoothly when coming to a stop. Etc.

The first rebuild cost me $600. The second rebuild cost me $800. The valve body cost me $270 on top of that. All of this was required because PATC put in a bad valve body, the wrong governor, a “soft” shaft, and a narrow reverse drum and OD band. They claimed to have built a high-performance AOD, but actually built something little better than stock – possibly worse, given the poor valve body action.

So, as I figure it, they owe me $1670. I won’t charge them for my labor for removing and reinstalling the transmission twice (which is a royal pain in the ***, given that I don’t have a lift).

I encourage anyone considering a high performance AOD to contact Dan Gilsdorf, aka "Silver Fox" at Silver Fox Transmissions. He seems to be a true AOD guru, and helped me get through this nightmare. It's his valve body and governor that saved the day.

P.S. When I reinstalled the trans for the second time, my builder loaned me his pressure gage so I could make sure I had the TV pressure set correctly. When I hooked it all back up like I had it, the TV pressure was 50 psi! That’s how high I had to run it with PATC's valve body to get it to act anywhere near right. It’s now down closer to 10 psi and works great.

mavken · 11-17-2009, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the update on this. Sorry to hear that you had to go so much to get your trans right. I have heard good things about Silver Fox. Glad you finally got what you wanted.

dodgestang · 11-17-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

The first rebuild cost me $600. The second rebuild cost me $800. The valve body cost me $270 on top of that. All of this was required because PATC put in a bad valve body, the wrong governor, a “soft” shaft, and a narrow reverse drum and OD band. They claimed to have built a high-performance AOD, but actually built something little better than stock – possibly worse, given the poor valve body action.

I feel your pain. I find it amazing that 2 forum members of this little community could literally have the exact same problems with the same transmission from PATC 4-5 years apart. First the governor, then a hard part failure traced back to the 'custom' PATC valve body. I don't know how they stay in business.

6t9mach1 · 11-17-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwstang

There is a new valve body on summitracing.com that is a constant pressure vb, if you decide to rebuild. That is the best way to go, as the tv cable is only for shift points then, the vb keeps constant pressure on the correct items so it won't burn up. Only around $200 or so and could be well worth it.

Bingo! Although I think that you are talking about the TCI constant pressure valve body and I have not heard good things about TCI valve bodies...no personal experience though.

I went the way of the AODE, but its using a manual valve body and a vacuum modulator setup. Its going in this winter

I've heard too many bad stories about getting the TV setting correct that I just wanted to stay away from it. I'm sorry that you ended up frying your bands. Hopefully your shop can get you set up and back on the road soon.

supershifter2 · 11-19-2009, 01:41 AM

what do ottomatic transmissions got 2 do with watchin cable TV

i got an old satalite dish

hello

call BROADER performance they has a great reputation for ottomatic trans missions they bee on the internet and located in texas and ship everwhere

FriscoSteve · 11-19-2009, 09:48 AM

Why not file a claim with the BBB? This might help warn other people as well. You can file a complaint online and will allow others to see it when searched.

In order for this company to change - or become truly professional, they need to feel some of the pain.

I for one am very glad that I have read this thread. Thanks for keeping us up to speed on this.

Crash · 11-19-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriscoSteve

Why not file a claim with the BBB? This might help warn other people as well. You can file a complaint online and will allow others to see it when searched.

In order for this company to change - or become truly professional, they need to feel some of the pain.

I for one am very glad that I have read this thread. Thanks for keeping us up to speed on this.

They're not going to change. Don (owner?) has made that clear. They have a fancy website that snags many unsuspecting surfers looking for a tranny. They'll make plenty of money off them. They claim to have a warranty and are more than willing to honor it ... if you bring it back to Bossier city. This is of course unreasonable for anyone more than an hour away. So, even their warranty is worthless.

All I want is my money back, and that ain't gonna happen unless Bubba pays them a visit...

bartl · 11-21-2009, 12:00 AM

1. Bought a '87 Caprice NEW with a 700R4. Tweaked not only the TV cable but ran a set of 3.23's behind it. Sold it in '97 with 187k and never had to do anything except change the fluid & filter every 30k.

2. Bought a used '89 Town Car in '97 with 89k and with a bad tranny (shuddering OD). Bought a salvage yard AOD with 52k on it, slapped it in, adjusted the TV cable by "ear", changed the fluid & filter every 30k, sold it in '03 with 161k. If it wasn't for the rusted out oil pan and the holes in front and behind the wheel wells would have kept it a couple more years - ran great and shifted fine.

tonyswe · 11-28-2009, 01:37 PM

I know this is an old thread but.
I have exactly the same tranny and have just recently started to drive it. I am experiencing the same problems, high line pressure to make it work at all. I have tried with pressure gauge,,then it is slipping and skipping gears,,going 1-3-od. So I went with the other theory full throttle-Full TV,,it did work like a charm for 10 miles,,now it is hesitant and most likely without 4th gear. PACT have not answered any of my mails and Don is just saying send it here. Well I live in Sweden these days,,so I guess I have to start looking for a local rebuilder.