Type Transmissions that will fit AMC V-8

No. AMC had their own bolt pattern. If you do a search on here you'll find several topics concerning overdrive transmission installs.

No the chrysler 727 and 518 do not bolt on to the AMC engine, and the 500/518 OD sections cannot be installed on and AMC 904/998/727.

Edited by Ken_Parkman - Jan/10/2015 at 9:16am

Hi Frank - you don't need a 2wd 42RE with the above combination, a 4wd is fine and a lot easier to find. They were used in the Grand Cherokee's right up as Chrysler rated them as stronger than the AW4, which was used in the smaller Cherokee. In 96 Chrysler started using the 44RE (similar to a 42 with more clutch discs and a better input shaft) with the 318 in the Grand Cherokees, although that case does not fit. It's easy it is to strengthen the 42RE and convert to hydraulic, and the later ones seemed pretty good. As well I did not want to bother with a computer or adapters.

Duh!! I should have caught myself on that one Ken! The 42RH has to be 2WD, not the Jeep end!!

You don't have to have the computer for an AW4, not if you don't mind a "semi-automatic" transmission. It's easy to build a $10 switch box to shift gears manually. Put it in D, then select gears. I've been running one for years! If you have an armrest and center console it's easy and a bit fun -- shift with no clutch. Can be wired as a four or "five" speed (use the lock-up converter as 4th gear, don't lock until after 3rd). I have mine wired as a four speed with a separate lock-up switch, but keep the lock-up switch on. This is doable because the AW4 doesn't lock in first no matter what, and only the top two gears have engine braking. So you can flip it down to 1st at 80 mph with no issues. Keeping the converter locked you have to remember to switch to first when coming to a stop. I switch the gear selector down through the gears just as if I was down-shifting an auto. Doesn't do anything except going from 4th to 3rd (some engine braking there -- assuming in D and not 3). But if something comes up and you need to get out of the way in a hurry you want to be in the right gear. Going from 60 mph to 1st then coasting up to a stop light is great, but if something happens and you need to move you have to rev the engine and trans enough to catch up to the driveshaft before it will move, and that would be a lot of rpm to catch up to say 35-40 mph in first gear! So it's a safety habit.

The Megashift controller should be easy to adapt to the AW4, but I don't know of anyone who has done it. I made the switch box (rotary switch now, used a couple toggles at first) to check trans operation after my shift controller failed three months after installing, and the junkyard controller I replaced it with only lasted a couple weeks. Got used to the manual controller, and just improved it and kept using. The toggle switches were a pain -- one on/one off for 2nd and 3rd, easy to get the two mixed up!

Thanks for the input. This overdirve is for a Terraplane street Rod w/727 Transmission,  I'm not sure I have  tunnel clearance. Rod is completed and I'm not will;ing to modify. Must be a tried and successful conversion. Sounds Like the Shortie series or the standard Gear vender might be my best expensive option.