Technical 303 toploader cluster play

I am about to put this 303 top loader back together and noticed when measuring for an arbor to insert into the cluster that the cluster OE shaft appears to have unusual clearance. The only trannies I am used to working with are the Olds/Cad/Lasalles where the cluster shaft is a tight fit into the housing of the tranny. Oddly, this Ford tranny's shaft has about .006 clearance in the casting that would seemingly allow the cluster position to wobble.
Anyone know the spec on this or have knowledge regarding what is acceptable for the clearance between the housing and the shaft?

 

Do both ends have that much clearance, or just the roll pin end? The shaft should have a little clearance for a light tap fit, but .006" sounds excessive, and .002" would be more like it. Some rebuild kits come with a new shaft and roll pin along with the thrust washers and needle bearings. BTW- a piece of 3/4" NMT conduit works perfectly as an arbor.

 

The shaft is just as loose at both ends. I don't believe this is acceptable. This has been apart before judging by the roll pin damage when i got it out of the tranny. I am going to mic the shaft and check with the top loader vendors to compare. Hope it is an easy fix.

 

I borrowed an inside micrometer and found the casting holes to be .882 while the shaft is actually .868. Something definitely wrong with this picture! Another mystery

 

IIRC and I would have to refer to my notes, the shaft should measure .875" to .877". It has been a few years since I rebuilt one. There was a local wrecking yard that must have had 100 of them piled in a bus. I wish that I had gotten them all before the yard closed.

 

I am going to talk to David Kee in TX to see if they can enlighten me. He specializes in top loaders but mostly 4 speeds.

 

This morning I installed the shaft and all the needle bearings into the cluster and they fit as one should expect. I am thinking someone has altered this Tranny and used a cluster and shaft from another top loader. The cluster has 15 20 and 28 teeth while the input has 20. 2nd has 25 while 1st has 32. Can't seem to find any info on this gear set up. Does not follow anything I can find on the RAN-S tranny on all the 3.03 webs.
Got a call into Kee. Hope he can figure it out.

 

There were two different ratio models made- a "close" and "wide", and two different input shaft sizes in the Ford line, in addition to a different input shaft in the GM "Dearborn" line. Sounds like you have some different gearsets in one unit. There were also two different synchronizer sizes in the 2-3 shift, depending on whether it was a RAN or RAT or HE(E,F, or G) unit. David Kee will steer you in the right direction.
Fortunately, there are plenty of 3.03s around since they were made for many years.

 

David Kee says that the play is not right and after some looking found a new 3.03 small case in his inventory. Imagine that. Sent me pics last night so I will verify the measurements today and go from there.

 

Good to hear.
If it were me I'd order a new shaft as well.

 

Well David is asking 200 for the case plus 50 to ship it to me. Yesterday I took the case up to machinist friend for an inspection. He is going to work with it today to do all his centering measurements but he feels he can bore the case and sleeve it staying within a thousands tolerance. Will know more tomorrow but hope he can fix it as it would be the most economical path.

 

That would be the most economical way if all the gearsets are in good shape.

 

Yes, the gears are in remarkable shape for a '68 vehicle. Not one chip or imperfection which I find quite amazing.