Speedometer Isn't Working

[geekodyssey]

The original 390 had some bad valves and had to be replaced until it can get rebuilt. It got swapped out with a Lincoln 5.0 HO as well as with an AOD transmission. However, the issue is that the speedometer doesn't work at all. I'm not sure if just the speedometer cable will get it working or if there is more involved, such as calibration or if I need electronic conversion.

[ICON 1956]

When I had my 61 bird I had the same problem, It's the drive gear located on the top left side bell housing in the tranny, You might need to order a 18 tooth drive gear the white color. That's the cheapest to find out before If you need to order the speedo cable. Replacing the drive gear you will need to jack up the car enough to crawl under to get at it.

[Karl]

G'day.
I don't know what a AOD transmission is but it may not be comparable with the old cable. They may not Evan connected your old cable because the fittings don't match.
How many years apart are the transmissions?
Karl.

[geekodyssey]

The year difference between the engines is about 25 years or so. It's a 1961 Thunderbird and the 5.0 HO didn't really come out until the mid-eighties. I'm just not sure how to make sure if the engine is compatible with the instrument cluster. Having to use my phone for a speedometer at the moment.

[Karl]

I could be wrong but I think there is to much of a gap for the speedo to be compatible.
Karl.

[tbird]

The electronic system in the transmission can not communicate with the cable driven mechanical speedometer. Is the engine of early enough vintage to be hard wired without a computer controlling it?

[RedBird64]

If it was a true Ford "AOD" trans then it would work (with lots of modifications) but that's not the tranny they put behind the 5.0. That trans will be an R470W or similar and is a different animal.