Top Loader Repair Facility

[pgermond]

Any of you NorCal guys know of a Ford top loader repair expert that is local. I lost 3rd and 4th gear the other day and was hoping it was a simple linkage issue. Not so - pulled the transmission, removed the inspection cover, and everything looks good.... but it doesn't work!

I really don't want to ship it halfway across the U.S. to get it fixed, so any suggestion of a local guy/shop are very much appreciated.

[redmt]

email sent.

[jrjmac1]

Hey Phil,
Could you share what you find out about local toploader repair shops?
Thanks,
John

[pgermond]

Originally Posted by jrjmac1

Hey Phil,
Could you share what you find out about local toploader repair shops?
Thanks,
John

Will do. I've been calling around with a little luck, but nothing near the caliber or reputation of a David Kee. But I'll keep trying.

[blykins]

What happens when you pull the cover and shift it into 3rd/4th gear? Does the shift fork move?

[pgermond]

Originally Posted by blykins

What happens when you pull the cover and shift it into 3rd/4th gear? Does the shift fork move?

Yes, it appears that everything is moving and shifting as it should, but when I put resistance on the tail-shaft with the trans in 3rd or 4th gear and rotate the front spline the rear spline does not move... just as if it is neutral. 1st, 2nd, and rev work fine.

[maurice19]

Phil,
I used trans repair warehouse at 1220 C st Sat to change my speedometer drive gear in the T600 and the mechanic knew his way around the toploader style trans.

Let me know when you get it ironed out and I will pay back my overdue debt

Maurice

[pgermond]

Originally Posted by maurice19

Phil,
I used trans repair warehouse at 1220 C st Sat to change my speedometer drive gear in the T600 and the mechanic knew his way around the toploader style trans.

Let me know when you get it ironed out and I will pay back my overdue debt

Maurice

Thanks, Maurice. I have them on my list of shops to check-out. No need to worry about the "debt". It was my pleasure..... I think this will be a bit easier than yours and hopefully will only have to be done once.

[blykins]

Phil, can you post a picture of the trans with the cover off? I'd like to see a few pics with it shifted into 3rd and 4th....

I rebuild Toploaders so maybe I can make an easy diagnosis over the internet....

[roadrod2000]

Hi Phil sorry to hear that your having trouble with the car.
If you lost both gears at the same time it's not going to be something you can see by just looking inside the cover. The synchronizer for third and fourth is splined to the output shaft internally you have most likely taken all the splines off the shaft or synchronizer or both. How hard did you hit third gear when this happened?

[pgermond]

Originally Posted by roadrod2000

Hi Phil sorry to hear that your having trouble with the car.
If you lost both gears at the same time it's not going to be something you can see by just looking inside the cover. The synchronizer for third and fourth is splined to the output shaft internally you have most likely taken all the splines off the shaft or synchronizer or both. How hard did you hit third gear when this happened?

Hi Rod,

Sounds like you know a heck of a lot more about this than I do. My son was over last night and came up with a similar diagnosis, but neither of us know how to do anything about it This is why I'm looking for someone that knows their way around a top loader.

I did hit 3rd a little hard, but I don't recall any clunk or pow...... just the engine rev'ing as if it were in neutral.

[pgermond]

Originally Posted by blykins

Phil, can you post a picture of the trans with the cover off? I'd like to see a few pics with it shifted into 3rd and 4th....

I rebuild Toploaders so maybe I can make an easy diagnosis over the internet....

If you can figure this out then maybe you can teleport yourself here to fix it....


3rd Gear
[IMG][/IMG]

4th Gear
[IMG][/IMG]

[Nor Cal Al]

Not to butt into a problem but I have a used large shaft top loader stuffed in a crate surrounded with a dissambled Jag rear (partial chrome and polish). Would love to part with any or all of it. Searching out cheaper hobbies for future retirement.
Thanks,
Al

[pgermond]

Hi Al,

Long time no-hear-from. I don't know a lot about these top loaders, but I've learned quite a in the last week. A friend was over yesterday and told me it is a small shaft top loader. He was surprised because according to the tag it came out of a '67 Galaxie, 390. At any rate, I appreciate the offer, but I don't think it will work for me.

Good to hear from you and take care.

[FIA-ERA]

Hey Nor Cal Al, I sent you a PM on your toploader. Let me know!! Thanks, Matt

[redmt]

PM sent on the Jag stuff.

[redmt]

Paging Nor Cal Al!!! Does anybody have contact info for Al??

John

[maurice19]

What is the latest, Phil

Maurice

[pgermond]

Maurice,

I dropped it off at Manual Transmission Warehouse on C st. It has a broken main shaft - it broke between 2nd and 3rd gears, which explains why 3rd and 4th were out of commission. So much for bullet proof top-loaders. I could understand it breaking in two if I was really banging through the gears, but I wasn't. Oh well, live-n-learn.

I'll post photos and commentary when I get it back.

[roadrod2000]

Not bullet proof but not bad for a 45 year old transmission. I took out 2nd with a hard shift from my 289, took off all of the snycro teeth on the gear. things happen.