What's difference between GM & Ford toploaders

They usually had a four hole case, so they could go on several different engines. Ford, GM, Jeep, and others. If you get one, you may want to get the clutch disc with it. The tag said RUG, the books call it an SROD, or Single Rail Over Drive.
The T5 went in even more vehicles.

 

Well I blew that one, its an eight hole case. Two bolt patterns.

 

I hope you are meaning the real top loader and not THE Aussie fourspeed which is a piss weak trans designed on the cheap for six cylinder Falcons and cortinas, it's known to Ford guys as the SINGLE rail. The actual top loader which is a different trans altogether is known as the TWIN RAIL.....when the beer starts flowing to save misunderstandings.
Early six cylinder Cortinas had the real top loader so the cortina six gear shifter is the same one as the taxis that ran at Bathurst ,**** basically but as I have found,they fetch great money on ebay for guys building clones.
look on Dave Kee's site for the actual Top loaders used by ALL the factory equiped cars.
Another odd user was MOPAR in the superstock stick equiped cars .Before the 722 trans was finished Mopar needed a strong trans to contain the power and Ford made the only trans with capability.
In OZ it used to be a common swap to run a Ford top loader behind GM's Holden because of the ****house GM 4 speed trans which is possibly the worst 4 speed ever bolted to an engine. Dellows and Hadfeilds both have adaptors to suit and there are plenty laying around in sheds,thanks to GM's old V8 dying before the trans.

 

The SROD, although technically a Top Loader is something all together different than what is being discussed here. The shifter was on top with a rail design not on the side and they were aluminum cased. They don't interchange with the cast iron Top Loaders. You can use early gears in the aluminum case but the speedo drive doesn't match up and the case it weaker than the cast iron. These were made from 79 to 83, some early 84 Mustang GT's have been seen with them too. Got one for sale real cheap if someone wants it. T5 is a different animal to a Top Loader

 

Yes, SROD is a different animal (ok more like a mouse) than the TOD. I have one if anyone wants one as well. I'll also agree the TOD is not limited to just '84-'85.

 

The old Ford Top Loader is tougher than nails, like the 9" rear end. Heavy but tough.

 

I belive this is the ****** in question and they came in Buicks Olds and Pontiacs. Not Chevy's

here are the specs. they were used from 65 to 68' or 9'

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset" cl***=alt2>Originally Posted by gtoric
The Dearborn "toploader" 3-speed manual transmission was released for use in the Pontiac line in March of 1965. The id code of DB was applied in yellow paint to the rh side of the main case. The main items that you should be looking for in a '65 GTO M13 would be gear ratios of 2.42:1-1st, 1.61:1-2nd, 1.00:1-3rd, 2.33:1-rev. Input shaft has 10 splines, output shaft has 28 splines. The shifting levers may vary in design according to the application.
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Good info but some of it is missing. The 390 FE 10 spline input shaft snub is To short to run on small blocks. You can get a extra long pilot bushing. (Or just change out the front shaft. I bought mine from Dan Williams toploader in NC.) www.toploadertransmissions.com
You must use a different pilot bearing or get the right small block input shaft.
IIRC it is 1/16th to short. Small blocks require the 1 1/16 snub
The Big block 428 and up 4 speed had a 8 spline input shaft and the pilot snub is 1 3/8 inch.

So either way IF you find one you can make either on work.
Also Pay attention to this...http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/imposters.htm
Oh and you will have tail shaft issues also. Mid mount or rear. Easily solved. HURST can get the right shift adapter plate for you. Once again telling them the tail shaft and the front case numbers help.


When you find the one. Check the numbers to know what you have. AFA as rebuild they are piece of cake.

 

Correct. but the 442 was not available with a 3 speed until 66. 64 and 65 was 4 speed only.

 

CORRECTOMUNDO. Ford's toploader is a side shift ****** with a removeable plate on top for gear changing access.
It also appears that some Hambers confuse "top loader" with "top shift"
when referring to early Ford trannies.

 

For a while some GM's used the 3 speed "top cover" Ford trans.....but if they ran a 4 speed, it was B W, Saginaw or Muncie.

AMC used the Ford toploader 4 speed for a while.

generally the small block Fords used the small input shaft but it was longer than the BIG input trans used behind the FE engines and some 429s.
I have an extra small input toploader if you are interested........it's simple, get a Lakewood and the spacer ring, use the proper pilot bearing and a FORD clutch disc...some shortening may be necessary to get it the correct length for use in a GM application.
Currently rebuilding one of our Jerico's...lol

Mark

 

having owned a 1966 pontiac catalina 2-door sedan with h/d 3-speed(ford 3.03 or dearborn,toploader).but that was many years ago.what i've been looking for is the bellhousing.i have a olds 400 and a lot of ford toploaders both 3 and 4 speeds.dose anyone have a bellhousing for sale.these were used in full size bop cars from 1965-1972.the engine/trans is going in a 74 camero.can be contacted by e-mail. thanks in advance