you can use an AOD from early 80s to about 93 from any cars from the ford line. mustang cougar tbird...etc if you can find one from a carb car that could save a step as you will have the correct linkage and parts. I would recomend that you have the shop rebuilt it with a bit of a slant on performance/durability . if you are not treating it like you are drag racing, you should be fine. the last one I had rebuilt cost $1000 for the rebuild I belive I paid about $150 for the trans core you will also need to get a flexplate from art carr that had been reballanced to the 28.8 oz for an early engine ($100) you will need to buy a cross mount or make one ($100-$150) bob