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Topic: 83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they? (Read 1471 times) previous topic - next topic

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

I look at ebay cougars from time to time when I am bored, and I came across this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Mercury-Cougar/283019192388?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dedb899317e664de5a8fd3f939e3c63ba%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D283004588074%26itm%3D283019192388&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A37df62df-7a02-11e8-b049-74dbd1807f74%7Cparentrq%3A412149f71640ac3d2c0efbd6fff83554%7Ciid%3A1

It's a 1983 Cougar with the 3.8. But if you look at the cluster it has the "OD" on the gear selector. What do you think? Cluster swap? Because I didn't think you could get an AOD with the 3.8 until 1988. I know the 5.0 had AOD though. That's why I am thinking cluster swap.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #1
It may have been an option. I've never seen anything official on that, but 1983 was a strange model year for the Cougar so anything is possible. The AOD was an option for the 3.8L in 1986, then standard in 1987-on. But I have to admit, I've seen earlier V6 cars with the AOD before and it sure looked factory. Only way to really tell is the door tag (or build sheet if available).

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #2
My 83 3.8 had an aod. I never did confirm before it got wrecked, but I'm pretty sure it had 2.73 gears as well. Every other v6 I had before was a 3.08 gear or.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #3
Huh, learn something new every day!
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #4
The 84 shop manual shows the AOD an option for the 3.8L.

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #5
The sales brochures always listed an AOD as an option with the 3.8 from '83 to '86.  The AOD might have become standard on the 3.8 after '86.  Somewhere between '86 and '86 the AOD became the only trans available with the 5.0 on the Cougars.

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #6
Pretty sure the aod was the only trans option on the 302.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #7
Quote from: Haystack;466271
My 83 3.8 had an aod. I never did confirm before it got wrecked, but I'm pretty sure it had 2.73 gears as well. Every other v6 I had before was a 3.08 gear or.
My '85 3.8 had a 2.73.

83 3.8's couldn't come with AOD, could they?

Reply #8
My '86 3.8/C5 also has 2.73's.