another top loader thread

[misfit41]

I have a pick up style 4spd,toploader style,the main case looks the same,as do the shifter inputs,does any one know if this thing can be made good for our purpose ? tag number is d8tz I belive,and I am not sure if this is the granny gear type or not. thanks as always,,Tim

[blykins]

Tim, I found a website about truck Toploaders....I just can't remember where I found it...I think the only difference was the gear ratio....it had a hoss-cat of a 1st gear..... 3.x:1 I think....

For the gear ratios to be that wild, I'd say you'd have to change the 1st 3 gears of course....plus probably even the cluster gear.

I've started disassembling mine....All rebuild parts are on the way. I'm very excited.

It will be a miracle if anyone else answers this thread...I'm sure they're all sick of my Toploader threads and probably just look over them now...hehehehe

[Cal Metal]

Tk:

Unfortunately, that tranny you have is a throw-away. 1978 (D8 Casting) three speed overdrive. Comes replete with narrow cut (read: weak, fragile, breakable) gears. Nothing will bolt to the tail that can be used for a Cobra. The speedometer pick up is also on the wrong side of the tail.

Besides all of that, they are a pain in the proverbial you-know-what to dismantle because of the 4th gear OD which is really mounted where third gear is in a regular Toploader. Makes for good land fill. We use them in Wisconsin in place of sand in the back of our pickup beds when the snow gets deep and we need more traction.

BTW, Blykins, I hope you ordered high quality parts to rebuild that TL. There are a lot of substandard parts running around. I would hate to see all your effort in rebuilding go.......Don't forget to replace that interlock pin and the hatchet head detents.

[misfit41]

thanks Cal
Thats sort of what I was afraid of,since no one else has used them,I was thinking the over driven 4th may be cool with a super low rear end gear,but I will scrap the idea now,,,Tim

[Cal Metal]

Tim:

Additionally, I think that if the unit is out of a truck, the main case may be a no go, too, as the input bearing is of a different size than a TL, or even a '78 car OD tranny unit.

I have heard of horror stories where people pay big $$$s for these at swap meets, thinking they bought a Toploader. In reality, they are just "heavy metal" and not worth much.

[grumpy]

Misfit,
The 10 bolt "Orion" Tremec case toploader you have is out of a Granada/Monarch 1978.
The overdrive in it is 0.81:1.
grumpy

[blykins]

Hey Cal...I bought all new parts from David Kee. And yes, I'm replacing the interlock, springs, and detents. :-)

I know you guys will probably be disappointed in me...but I was getting impatient. I bought a 25 spline Mustang Toploader...has a Hurst shifter plate on it, everything looks good inside. I got a very good deal on it, which pushed my inhibitions a little more.

I talked to David, I'm gonna replace the mainshaft with one of his new 28 spline shafts...I also ordered new speedo gears to match my rearend, and I ordered the road race rebuild kit "plus".

Everything is already disassembled, inspected, and washed. Everything looked fine. I took the case to my machine shop today to be tanked and to have the tailshaft bushing removed.

Of all the mechanical things I've done, I've enjoyed this one the most. Don't ask me why. And I may just change my story when it starts going back together...hehehe

Now, I'm still looking for an answer to my question....with a 64-65 tranny and a Lakewood/McCleod bellhousing, do I need to update the front bearing retainer?

[Cal Metal]

Regarding the retainer, you will need to look at the underside of it to see if it is worn. Your rebuild kit will have the seal that you will replace on the underside of the retainer.

More importantly, examine the input shaft between the spline and the bearing. Look for pitting in the area just back of the bearing. What happens, is that if these things set outside and moisture gets through the seal on to the shaft, pitting occurs and you will develop a leak. A leak coming out the front of the retainer will cost you a clutch assembly, eventually. Really examine that area.

[blykins]

Well I'm not gonna say who told me this (not David Kee), but they said that "the small input bearing retainer would not align the transmission to the bellhousing." This doesn't make sense to me. I'll be using a Lakewood or a McCleod bell....if the input shaft is up in the clutch disc, the pilot is up in the pilot bushing....and the tranny is bolted to the bellhousing, how could it not be aligned?

I may be missing something, and probably am...but it just doesn't make sense. Have you ever heard of this?

[Cal Metal]

You need to align the bellhousing to the block. That is the issue, not aligning the bellhousing to the transmission. Once that alignment (block to bellhousing) is done, your transmission will be in perfect alignment.

[blykins]

That's what I thought. I have never heard of the input bearing retainer doing any aligning....