Will this toploader work?

[blykins]

Hey guys....if you haven't been watching the posts, I'll go ahead and tell you that I've went through tons of trouble trying to find a Toploader for my Cobra...

I had a bid on one from a Galaxy...but it's a 17" tailhousing, and the shifter is way too far forward.

If I post a picture of another Toploader that I've found...can you tell me if the shifter is in the right location? It's a 17" tailhousing too, but the shifter is pretty far back...

[gman]

It's not the shifter I would be concerned about. You can always make a plate to relocate the shifter. The 17" will shorten your driveshaft 3". This may cause you problems. I'd try to find a short one. Call David Kee. I put as much money in rebuilding a used one as he would have sold me a new one. Gman

[blykins]

I measured the distance from the bellhousing to the pinion yoke...it's 40". Subtract 27" for a long tail'd Toploader....13" left...would that be enough?

[blykins]

Also, do they make shifting rods at different lengths? What if you move the shifter around a little.....can you modify the linkage rods?

[gman]

There are a couple of factory lengths relative to the stock locations. I think you'll find that the mustang rods for the rear mount on the short tailshaft will put the shifter where you want it. My short tailshaft only has the mid mount and I have a plate to move it to the rear location. I think the hurst plate for a Boss 429 is the one that will do this. If you are using a sock ford shifter the plate is a little harder to make. If you use a Hurst shifter the plate are easier to make. Gman

[Cal Metal]

Blykins:

Before you do anything, get me the casting letters/number off of the case you are posting. Should begin with a C or D. If I were you, and assuming you haven't purchased a TL yet, stay with a short tail unit with the Mustang tail. Not hard to find.