Just blown my toploader - diagnosis please?!

smash · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 02:32 PM

I suppose I better admit now that we're talking here about an HEH-P i.e. 25 spline "twister"....

Was holding the cob at 3K rpm in first then nailed it and one almighty bang at 5k rpm!

All gears lost and any attempt to drive resulting in a 'rotational' bang-bang-bang-bang sound from underneath.

Now my diff has been quite noisy for a while so I suppose I could have done the damage there but having read about the weak 25 spline shaft I figure it moght be that?

If it is can I upgrade to something more hefty?

To make matters worse the tow rope cut through part of the nose on the way home so all in all an expensive night!!

Any ideas gratefully received......

Cheers

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 02:38 PM

How's the driveshaft?

Does the driveshaft turn when the tranny's in gear?

If the driveshaft is intact and doesn't turn when the trans is in gear and the clutch is out, then yeah, it's your tranny.

Yes, you can upgrade mainshafts. When I rebuilt my HEH-G, I upgraded to a new 28 spline mainshaft, a full road race rebuild kit, and some other goodies.

You'll have to change tailhousing bushings.

smash · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 03:01 PM

Yeah - figured I'd need to get someone to check out whether it moves or not but i just can't bring myself to go back out there tonight. Will check tomorrow - fingers crossed it's the diff as they're a bit more plentifull over here in UK than toploader spares! But I'm fairly sure it sounded more 'at the front' than 'at the back'....

Does the 28 spline have any affect on gearing etc.?

trularin · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 06:11 PM

You know, You might just want to have David Kee do his magic on your trans.

Then again, A swap to A 5 speed may work.

Sounds like you should probably secure something to replace it before you yank that one.

Good luck.

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2005, 06:52 PM

28 spline does not affect gearing...just strength.

Anthony · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smash

I suppose I better admit now that we're talking here about an HEH-P i.e. 25 spline "twister"....
All gears lost and any attempt to drive resulting in a 'rotational' bang-bang-bang-bang sound from underneath.

Now my diff has been quite noisy for a while

It seems like you need to rebuild/replace both.

smash · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 02:59 PM

This kinda seals the deal on the shaft I think!! You can even see blueing of the steel where it's sheered it got so hot - ouch!

Anthony · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smash

Now my diff has been quite noisy for a while

You'd probably be best to check it out as well, since it's out of commission at the present time.

Tim Brewer · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 07:58 PM

Justs needs to be rebuilt with a new shaft. Looks like typical metal fatigue of a fourty year old part. Give David Kee a call and he will ship you a special black plastic box made for shipping toploaders. Good luck,
Tim

smash · #10 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 12:30 AM

Yup - gonna call David today.

I have a whiney 3.07 diff at present and am looking at 3.31 as a replacement while all this is out. Theoretical 157MPH top speeds are all well and good but it's a bit too tall for me at the mo.

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 12:40 AM

I got the 3:31, I like it. Nice compromise between to high and to low. Wierd how that shaft twisted like that, stuff happens I guess!

Anthony · #12 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 04:34 AM

Since your tranny is likely the Wide Ratio, I'd keep the 3.07.

smash · #13 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 06:40 AM

Yes it's a wide ratio, although I don't really get the the wide/ close thing - I mean the close ratio's got an even taller 1st which would kill mine off the line!

I'd keep the 3.07 if I had larger torque and power, but I have a little 302 with a solid cam and the power band's a bit higher up so the 3.07 blunts it a little of the line

BLACKJACK · #14 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 10:10 AM

IT MUST BE THE TIME OF YEAR - OR THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PLANETS - OR SOME SUCH DUMB THING.

SATURDAY I DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 3RD AND HEARD A "LOT OF NOISE" (MUCH LIKE BOLTS AND NUTS LOOSE IN A COFFEE CAN). SHIFTED BACK INTO 4TH AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. STOPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING OFF 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD ALL MADE THE SAME NOISE. I EASED IT INTO 4TH AND NURSED IT ABOUT A MILE TO A SHOPPING MALL WHERE I WAITED 3:20 FOR AAA TO SEND ME A FLATBED.

GOT IT HOME AND ONTO THE LIFT, WITH SOME LOCAL MUSCLE POWER, AND DRAINED THE CASE.

THERE WERE MORE DAMN TEETH IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BUCKET THAN A WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL SCHOOL.

CALLING DAVID KEE THIS AFTERNOON.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

Scott M Jackson · #15 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 09:11 PM

For whatever it's worth I just received my W/R Toploader (aluminum by the way) with a 2.90 1st. I'm running a close ratio now with a 3.00 rear ratio on a Ford 9 inch and I have to really feather the clutch and throttle to get her off the the line. When I get it going I'm very optomistic about the ratio layout. 2.90 for the launch and smooth stepouts there after to the 1:1 final. I'd love a 5 or a 6 speed but I'm committed to the Toploader. Good luck. Check out the Carbon Fiber Drive shafts. He He He. Spend that money.

Ernie, you need to high-light that you're in Hawaii and your driving habit are not like anywhere else. 3.31 might be great for you over there but Oklahoma or Texas etc. might have different needs.

Scott

Excaliber · #16 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 09:52 PM

Good point Scott. If I were in Texas, as much as I love the top loader, I'd have to consider my 5 speed options.

BUT, I can assure you it would have a 4 speed shift knob and reverse linkage for the 'correct' look!