3rd Gen (1975-1991) Econoline Changes

[TroySmith80]

Is there someplace that has a detailed history of the changes and revisions made to the E series during the 3rd generation? The wikipedia article is a start, but doesn't give much detail. I'm hoping for something with an in-depth listing of year by year changes. Better yet, something that also discusses real-world reactions to those changes.

I tried some googling of course, but didn't come up with anything great. Is there some resource on Ford's website?

I'm trying to educate myself so i know what to look for. Due to my budget, odds are that i'll be looking at a 3rd gen van. I'm looking to buy one that is already 4x4 converted, which will mostly mean Pathfinder.

I'm curious what significant changes were made over the course of this body style's production from '75-'91. I've seen a couple of pretty nicely revamped vans from the late '70s, but god that just seems crazy to consider a van that old.

Then again, if there weren't really that many differences between say, a '79 and an '89 van, and the 79 has been restored to better shape than the 89, then which one would i be happier owning?

The main things i'm thinking of are overdrive, EFI, interior noise levels, fuel economy, and also the quality of the Pathfinder conversions at the time of that van's manufacture. It seems like i've heard that the later Quadravan system was a lot better than the earlier ones.

I'm primarily only interested in the 351 V8, but just for curiosity and education's sake, it's neat to hear what changed in other engines too.

 

[alefcourt25]

I don't believe EFI or overdrive showed up until around '89. Noise levels are fixable through insulation. And the Pathfinder conversions seemed to be more consistent near the end of the company's run. I have an '86 e150 Quadravan and the biggest issues mine has is rust. A common '70's & 80's issue anyways. The 351w is a great motor for mild building. I would say look for rust free, and a front end that hasn't been doctored from the original Pathfinder setup. Also, Holley makes a decent add on digital fuel injection kit for around 1500$ that would improve the fuel delivery on these vans, a step I'm just waiting on funds to take. Oh, and call Gordon at Pathfinder, he has the additional knowledge you are looking for. Pathfinder.com

Mpg's are 12mpg at absolute best for theses rigs, IMO, if you want better think turbo diesel...otherwise be happy with the classic steel and the bad economy that comes with it.

Good luck, I love mine.

One more thing, I have the Borg Warner 1345 t-case and from research it appears to be quite stout for the application, I believe they were only used for a few model year runs though, from '86 to '88, then it changed to the 1356. I can't remember the differences though. Pathfinder has that info too.

 

[New River KTM]

E-250 Changes thru the years

While the body style stayed the same the mechanicals did have little changes almost every year. I have a 89 E-250 Quadravan with the Pathfinder 4x4 conversion I do believe the engineering on this year is better than previous years. The fuel injected 351W runs sound and my noise levels are very good. Again look for a unit with low rust levels.

 

[TroySmith80]

Great info Alefcourt and KTM, thanks!

OD is mandatory for me because it also helps noise and mileage. I have my eye on a nice looking '89 pathfinder EB.

I've heard reports of better mileage, but people always seem to want to stretch their mpg reports. Hard to admit to yourself how bad it is maybe? Also, they may have been 2wd. I've heard anywhere from 12-18 on the highway. 18 is hard to believe. 14-16 seems like it should be doable cruising 60-65 on the highway, but i don't really know.

 

[1sweetvan]

Troy,
Fuel economy comes down to 3 basic factors.
1) The efficiency of the Driver.
2) Rolling Resistance. (tires, drive train drag)
3) Aerodynamic Drag. (bumpers, lift, roof racks)

Given the amount of variables in these 3 areas, a spread of 10 - 18 MPG is not that hard to believe.
Of course there is always speedometer error to consider.

 

[TroySmith80]

Thanks for the added info.

One of my major questions has been which transmissions came in what, and how those trannys perform. I found a lot on the http://www.ford-trucks.com forums using google search.

I still don't have an exact chart of what vans have what trans. but this is a good overview. I think probably most of the 83-93 vans with the 351 or smaller engine had the AOD transmission. That is a non-electronic 4-speed transmission with overdrive. That sounds fantastic to me. It doesn't have as much of a reputation for durability as the C6, but the C6 seems to be legendary in that regard. Most agree that if you keep the TV cable adjusted properly on the AOD and put a cooler on it, you will see hundreds of thousands of miles of trouble free service. If needed, it can be upgraded also.

Also, the C6 apparently requires a lot of power just to operate, that is not passed on to the wheels, so it is not very efficient. But it is very robust for heavy duty use. It is a 3 speed, and it does not have overdrive. Not ideal at all for my intended use.

The E40D and 4R series appear in newer vans and are better than either of these.

Here's some more info i found while hiding out inside today (8-12 degrees outside today, and i work outside... not happening).

C6 - 3 speed - Oil pan has jog in one side - 17 bolts in pan. Known as extremely tough but not very efficient transmission. E-series from 1975-up. *** Built from 1966 - 1979 20" long overall including integral bellhousing.-1966 - 75 have rectangular pan with 17 bolts & long measurement on front and rear edges. Shorter on sides.-Can have recess on rear pass.corner or slight buldge on pass side near rear edge & 15 bolts.P1966-75 pan = 1"-1.5" deep. 1975+ pan = 1.75" - 2.0" deep and 4X4 pan 3" deep in center.Small blocks and big blocks have different bellhousings. 3 different castings total.P-R-N-D-1-2 pattern. Good, heavy Duty 3 speed Auto, but without OD. Gets 3 thumbs up.

AOD - 4 speed with overdrive - Mostly square pan shape - 14 bolts - Not as good of a reputation, but fine really. Upgrades available if needed. E series from 1983-1993 Built from 1980 - 1993. Intregal bellhousing and transmission. Not electronically controlled. 20.5" overall length.
Good, medium duty 4 speed OD tranny. Can be beefed up to handle decent power. Very common.
Rectangular pan like C4 but both rear corners angled slightly. 14 bolts on pan.
When matted with 2.73-1 diff., speedo gear tends to be 8 tooth, otherwise 7 tooth. Came with wide and std gear ratios.
V6 version lighter duty than V8 version but can be modified to equal V8 version in strength.
Has 1 electrical connector to neutral safety switch. Uses TV (throttle valve) linkage & cable on left side to carb/throttle body.
Proper TV adjustment is CRITICAL. Pre-88 models lack rear-lube enhancement - avoid these ones.
Any post-88 version is worthy of use or build-up except those found behind V6s.
1992-93 E & F series trucks have the stronger version of AOD available.
Most Lincolns and some trucks use a 1" longer output shaft than the Mustangs and other vehicles.
Overall length 30 1/4". Shift pattern = P-R-N-OD-D-1. Gets 3 thumbs up


E40D - Newer electronic 4 speed OD med-heavy duty. 1989+ E series.
Built from 1989 - 1998. Found only in trucks.
Replaced C6. Electronically controlled w OD. Medium to heavy duty.
Pan is wider than it is long 20.5" X 13.5" w/ a notch out of right front corner and has 20 bolts.
Electronic OD on a 351W would be likely be this tranny. F150 door tag w/ trans code of E = E40D.
1989-93 truck with P-R-N-OD-2-1 pattern = E40D.
Non-removable bellhousing. Electronically controlled.
1994-up trucks w/ overdrive cancel switch and P-R-N-OD-2-1 can be E40D
Pan length approx. 20". Overall tranny length 37 1/2".
1995 up units are better. Older units can be updated to same level. Gets 4 or 5 thumbs up.

Handy threads:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/9/056/article/Ford_Transmission_Spotters_Guide.html
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/924817-why-do-most-critisize-the-aod-transmission.html

 

[TroySmith80]

Actually, I think i was wrong about the 351 being mated to the AOD. Most of the mid-late 80s vans i've seen advertised, with the 351 or the 460 say that they have the C6 (if they say at all). Although some of them claim they have a 3-speed with overdrive. Which doesn't fit with any of the info above. Not sure how accurate any of it is...

Bummer.

 

[dsw4x4]

Not to say they did not build them this way but I have never seen a aod behind a 351 in a van and my 94 had the e4od. From what I have seen that info looks correct.

 

[TroySmith80]

Thanks Derek. I corrected my post above yours. What i meant to say at the end was that some sellers are advertising 3-speed transmissions with overdrive. None of my research has turned up 3 speeds with overdrive. Does such a thing exist? If so, was it common in the vans?

If not, i guess that's why Gear Vendors and similar were/are in business. I guess the people selling a C6 with overdrive just don't know what they have?

Found another handy page: http://www.fordification.com/bumpwiki/index.php?title=Ford_Automatic_Transmission_ID_Guide

Also shows the C6 as having a top gear ratio of 1.00 and the 4-speeds only as being OD transmissions.

Gear Ratios of Popular Ford Automatic Transmissions
Trans 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
C4 2.46 1.46 1.00 -
C5 2.46 1.46 1.00 -
C6 2.46 1.46 1.00 -
AOD 2.40 1.47 1.00 0.67
AODE 2.40 1.47 1.00 0.67
4R70W 2.84 1.55 1.00 0.70
E4OD/4R100 2.71 1.54 1.00 0.71

 

[Mwilliamshs]

I know this thread is ANCIENT but here's the real deal on Ford Full-size Van Automatic Transmissions 75-91. Verified with Ford build sheet references direct from Steve Zo, Ford Motors Research Librarian. They really have such a thing!

C4-E100s and E150s only, stopped in 1983. All 3 speeds after 83 are C6. light-duty 3 speed. No OD.

C6-E150, 250 and 350, available all years 75-91. Heavy-duty 3 speed. No OD.

AOD-E150 and 250 only, not common in 250s but they do exist in 3/4 tons, likely only with 6 cylinders in 250s but can't confirm. this may have been a "MPG special" that was used for legal purposes of claiming high MPGs for the 250s but rarely, if ever, produced for regular customers. Few if any put behind 5.8s, but plenty behind 5.0s and 4.9s. This may account for their rarity in vans other than 1/2 tons, as most 250 and 350 vans got the 5.8, 6.9, 7.3, or 7.5. Steve suspects this was the case. available 80-91. sometimes described as 3 speed auto with OD. it's a 4 speed automatic, 4th gear is OD. has lock-up converter. no electronics at all. TV cable adjustment is vital.

E4OD-E150, 250 and 350. 89-91. Sometimes (more often than AODs in my experience with Craigslist, etc) described as 3 speed auto with OD (especially because of separate OD switch to left of steering column). it's a 4 speed automatic, 4th gear is OD. has lock-up converter. has electronic controls and OD on/off switch on dash

 

[QuercusExpeditionPortal]

I just purchased an '89 E150 Sportsmobile with an overdrive. I think it has the AOD -- do all E40D's have the on/off in the dash?

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Yes unless it's been modified. It should be a switch to the left of the steering column at the lower edge of the gauges that illuminates when in the off position. I also have an 89 e-150, but with a C6. If your shifter has positions for both D and OD, you have an AOD.