Rebuilding Toploader, Need Help!!!

tchrome · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 09:52 PM

Hey Guys, I Have A Top Loader 4 Speed. How Can I Tell What Year It Is ? Also Can You Tell Me The Best Place To Get The Parts I Need To Overhaul It? I Recently Put New Brake And Clutch Master Cylinders In My Naf Cobra. Since , I Am Having A Gear Grinding Problem. I Have Blead The System A Couple Of Times And It Looks Like The Slave Cylinder Is Engaging The Clutch All The Way, But Unless I Double Clutch, After Starting The Car, I Grind Going Into Reverse And It Is A Problem Down Shifting Most Times If I Don't Double Clutch It. I'm Thinking The Syncro's Are Bad And Maybe It's Time For A Rebuild. Any Suggestions? Thanks

Tchrome

Jac Mac · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 10:05 PM

If its grinding going into reverse then your clutch doesnt seem to be releasing completely, I would work on that before rebuilding the trans for no good reason.
Small steel tag between top/bottom bolts on RH of main case should be a start for ID.
Is the 'new' clutch M/Cyl the same bore as the old one, this might explain if problem has only started since replacement.

Jac Mac

tchrome · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 10:26 PM

new clutch master cyl. is 3/4", same as the old one. i repositioned the pedals in the footbox, but i don't think that would have any bearing on the clutch release. i went from a remote resevoir to a master cylinder with the res on it. kept the old slave cylinder and never moved it at all. thanks for you help and quick response. if it does come down to sync's etc. do you know a good place to get parts?

tchrome

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 10:40 PM

Could be the pilot bearing/bushing is to tight a fit on the input shaft of the trans, assuming the clutch is fully releasing. SOME grinding when shifting into reverse is normal with a top loader, reverse gear is straight cut, non synchro. I usually apply gentle pressure to second or first with the clutch depressed to STOP or SLOW the trans gears from turning AFTER I've all ready depressed the clutch. Sometimes I depress the clutch and simply 'hesitate' to let the formerly spinning gears 'slow down' before I shift into reverse. If the pilot bushing is hanging on to tight to the input shaft (or the clutch is not fully released) it WILL grind in reverse no matter what you do. While the synchros will 'help' you shift smooth if the clutch isn't fully released (or the pesky pilot bushing again) you will at the very least be placing a heavy load on the synchros and wearing them out prematurely. Actually there pretty cheap, I would replace them no matter what if I took the trans apart.

"David Kee" for top loader parts is one excellent source. Simply 'Google' it and you will find him.

priobe · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:04 AM

tchrome,

Does it grind everytime you put into gear or once an while. I am experiencing the same problem with mine. I have heard that it could be the pilot bushing or the release bearing. My plans are to pull the trans and relpace both componets.

I am running a hydraulic release bearing in my setup. I found out that the bearing face is for a universal which might be too small for the clutch fingers. I ordered the correct release bear and hoping to put this problem behind me.

I would try to do what Excaliber said and if the problem continues try turning of the motor placing it in reverse, then take it out of gear, start the car and try it once again to see if it grinds. This might help to determine if it is the sycro.'s

Anthony · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchrome

Hey Guys, I Have A Top Loader 4 Speed. How Can I Tell What Year It Is ? Also Can You Tell Me The Best Place To Get The Parts I Need To Overhaul It?

there should be a metal tag on the front passenger side of tranny with a code HEH or RUG, and then look on the web site below to decode.

www.4speedtoploaders.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchrome

I Recently Put New Brake And Clutch Master Cylinders In My Naf Cobra. Since , I Am Having A Gear Grinding Problem. I Have Blead The System A Couple Of Times And It Looks Like The Slave Cylinder Is Engaging The Clutch All The Way, But Unless I Double Clutch, After Starting The Car, I Grind Going Into Reverse And It Is A Problem Down Shifting Most Times If I Don't Double Clutch It. I'm Thinking The Syncro's Are Bad And Maybe It's Time For A Rebuild. Any Suggestions?

Your synchro's may be bad, but there are no synchro's for reverse, so my guess is that your clutch is not completely disengaging, needing to double clutch to prevent gear grinding. Your system may not be completely bled. You need to get a clear tube on your slave cylinder bleed valve , and pump your clutch, bleeding it more until there are no air bubbles. If you still need to double clutch, then check for throw out bearing preload adjustment, such that there is alittle play before engaging the pressure plate. If that doesn't solve your problem, then check the distance the slave cylinder moves with the pedal pressed to see if you are getting reasonable movement.

good luck.