Toploader Shifter Problem

saltshaker · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:37 AM

I have a shifter from a Kirkham for my Top loader. Problem is, with the engine and trans installed the shifter comes through the tunnel to low..the base of the shifter is 3" below the tunnel and only the curved portion of the shifter come through. Is the Kirkham shifter shorter...can i raise the trans? any suggestions?
Jon

jerry w · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 12:59 PM

You can get a longer shifter from LOKAR
http://www.lokar.com/

saltshaker · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:13 PM

thanks, I think I'm looking for a different approach....

ZOERA-SC7XX · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:51 PM

Which toploader are you using? I'm asking because in my ERA I have a Toploader from a '66 Galaxie, and the shift position is like that of the 289 Cobra. The Galaxie shifter body bolt pattern is the same as the Fairlane pattern, but unlike the Mustang unit. I actually like that shifter location, so I used a shifter body from a Sunbeam Tiger (same as the bench seat Galaxie). My original shifter body was a galaxie console shifter, which sat about 3-4 inches too high for my tunnel. I still have the console shifter body on the shelf.

gman · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:58 PM

Jon,
Check in my gallery. You'll see the shifter bracket that will solve you're problem. There should be an interior shot that shows the shifter.
Mike

saltshaker · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 05:55 PM

looking for a bracket used with a Hurst super shifter #195-8382...maybe someone has one, the part is back ordered!
Jon

ponvire09 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 03:36 AM

hi i bought a toploader and a bellhousing from a 72 or 73 mustang and i want to use it on my 73 comet. Can i use a newer motor with the toploader engine who are 50 oz balanced ?
My bellhousing is 1 inch more large that my c4. do you think i will have problem using headers ? thank you

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 07:30 AM

My trans has a thick piece of aluminum sandwhiched between the stock trans mount and the trans to raise the final hieght of the trans equal to the thickness of the alloy bar. 1/2 to 3/4" I guess it is. With that in place the motor, trans and driveshaft are all perfectly level.

Woodz428 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponvire09

hi i bought a toploader and a bellhousing from a 72 or 73 mustang and i want to use it on my 73 comet. Can i use a newer motor with the toploader engine who are 50 oz balanced ?
My bellhousing is 1 inch more large that my c4. do you think i will have problem using headers ? thank you

The tranny is ignorant of what is in front of it. As long as you use the correct flywheel fro the engine you shouldn't have any problems. What casting # is on the bellhousing? You may need one from an earlier 'stang, but I don't think there was any difference between the '67-'70 models and the '71-'73 ones. It's been since the 70s so I don't remember all the details, but we swapped several Mustang smalblocks into Mavericks( same thing), and don't recall any issues that stand out. I'll look at the interchange book and if they note a difference, I'll post it later. As long as you get headers to fit the chassis, you shouldn't have any problems.