Need advice from anyone with an automatic transmission or engine expertise

[olddog]

Back in the days the factory sold carbs, which is nearly 40 years ago. Transmissions were 3 speeds with no lock up toque converter. I believe by 1988 the EFI computer was controlling the shift points of the transmission. The old transmissions had complex valve bodies with a throttle position mechanically connected and vacuum connected. All this was to figure out when to shift. Then hydraulic pressure powered the band brakes to change the gears.

Today's transmissions do not have all the mechanical crap. The ECU tells the transmission when to shift and when to lock up the torque converter. Ford is putting 10 speed automatics in everything I just looked at, while Lincoln is still using an 8 speed in the Nautilus, I just bought. The previous Ford transmission was a 6 speed that was used for about a decade.

Then there are bolt patterns that different engines have. Not all transmissions will bolt to all engines within a manufacturer. In fact the 4.6 ltr that came in the front wheel drive Continental has a different bolt pattern than the rear wheel drive cars with the same engine. No rear wheel drive transmission will bolt to the front wheel drive block. There are way to make adapters, but this is a big hairy can of worms.

Now I'm sure that someone has figured out a way to control modern transmissions without the ECU and a way to connect up an old transmission to a newer engine. Be aware that this type of stuff is usually figured out by the racing world and they only care about winning races. Drive-ability for a street car is not even a consideration.

You need to do a lot of learning to head down this road.