[One_Quik_Pony]

I have been a long time mustang fanatic, been through at least a dozen 5.0 and now 4.6s, but they have all been 5-speeds.

Recently, I acquired my friend's retired weekend warrior. The car was once somewhat of a legend here in Phoenix, and was the car to beat! It is an '89 LX Sport 5.0 5-speed. Its original motor, trans, and rear end are gone, but the interior is perfect, body is perfect, and its ready for paint. I got the engine, AOD and rear end from an '86 GT with the car, all in boxes, needing some assembly.

I got the car for my Mom, so the AOD will work out great. I just finished a complete rebuild on the engine, and finished painting and wiring the engine bay today. Now, my dilemma is what to do with this AOD.

It has about 100, 000 miles on it. It worked perfectly before it was removed a few years ago. I don't have any quotes on a shop rebuild yet, but have priced rebuild kits at around $150. We have not yet torn into an automatic, but have rebuilt dozens of motors, manual transmissions, and a few rear ends. I am trying to stick to a budget on this project.

Question is, should I just clean it up and install it, send it out, or attempt the work myself? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Blaze86Vic]

If it worked before, do a fluid change, and filter, and bolt it up. My original AOD burnt a clutch pack up at 230,000 miles, and only because the TV cable slipped a little. They are pretty tough as long as the TV cable is adjusted properly. However at 250,000 miles I did explode my planetary gears. I'd say you are safe to go.

If you do decide to rebuild, are you going to send it off to be rebuilt or do it yourself? If you do it yourself, you will need a good measuring caliper. And pay great detail to the specified clearances of all the clutch packs. I am quite the opposite of you here, I have done a lot with AODs rebuilds and build ups, but never manuals (soon to change though).