Anyone have later model side shift toploaders behind their mills in pre-35 cars? I'm wondering how it looks, works, or interferes with can space. I'm looking at putting one behind an 8ba in a pre-35 truck.
I use 'em whenever I can. Disassemble trans, remove forks, plug holes with freeze plugs. Buy 150 type Jeep top tower with stick, just slide it on and bolt it down, new gasket. Shifter is toward front, (not like a 5 speed) ends up in just the right place. Be advised that the HEAVY DUTY 3 speed is spaced differently in main drive inside, and the synchro hub is larger diameter. Chances of finding the Heavy are slim, though... On the heavy duty box, (#"RAT") Jeep shifter will still work, IF you remove the roll pins from the forks, center up the forks, and redrill the shift rail rods. (the forks will also have to be ground to fit the notches in 1st/reverse slider, and 2nd/high synchro sleeve) Shift stick contacts the rail rods, NOT the forks; so the forks can be moved while the 'neutrals' still line up with the forks relocated! These boxes are very strong, even the 'standards' but the 'Heavy Duty' ones have gears that make my LaSalles look skinny. Best kept secret in the Ford line. By the way: With the optional bell housings on 8BA, 8CM, etc., the Ford passenger types (4 bolt trans) the late trannies have a 'dual pattern', they will bolt to either the '49-'60 Ford bells OR the larger '61-'76 (?) larger patterns. Best of both worlds. The top loader 4 speed is a similar act, in that the Jeep 4 speed tower bolts onto the Borg-Warner cases! Same pattern at bellhousing, too.
Great to hear, thanks for the info! Now for questions: -in order to get the forks out, it seems like I have to take the whole transmission apart! At any rate, I'll have to now as every roller bearing has fallen out of the thing, and into the sump. Am I doing it right? -I got the rear fork loose, and its shaft out. The fork is trapped inside the case and seems like I have to take the main shaft out in order to free the gears, so the whole dang thing can come out. I also have the set screw removed from the front fork, but can't figure out how to remove the shaft. It's blocked on the front by a freeze plug. How in the heck do I remove the shaft? After the front shaft is out, and the main shaft pulled from the center of the gears, does everything then lift out? Here's the website I'm following, it's a 4 speed but the process looks the same. http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-...loader-transmission-rebuild/photo-gallery/#12 I also found this article, seems more comprehensive....and dude, everyone makes it seem like removing the forks is as easy as taking off the lid and reaching in and plucking them free! http://www.musclecardiy.com/transmissions/how-to-rebuild-ford-toploader-4-speed-transmissions/ Any help is appreciated!
He's pretty deep into the trans befor the shift forks come out. I've not done the conversion, but one the trans is apart you do just reach in and pluck them out.
Yeah, I disagree with his step 15. That rear fork doesn't come out til the main shaft is loose from the rear bearing, as the lip of the case won't allow you to rotate the fork around to the top for easier removal.
See this pdf shop manual for a 3 speed top loader rebuild........ http://thefirstgensite.com/library/67service/PO67S7A.pdf
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