Aluminum Toploaders

[David Kee]

We are considering manufacturing an aluminum maincase and tailhousing as an option for our new Toploaders. Just curious to see if there would be any serious interest in this.

David Kee
http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com

[The Dreamer]

David,

That would depend on how much weight you would save and how much of a premium you pay for the weight reduction. Can you give us some idea of the percentage change involved?

[Anthony]

What are your estimated prices and weights for both the iron case and aluminum case trannys?

[Allan A]

David,

We would be interested, for our SAI 289 FIA. We would like to know price and avail.

Allan

[xcobraj]

David,I think its a great idea,but I agree it always comea down to the numbers

[PatBuckley]

I am interested - how much and when? Do the internals transfer?

[xlr8or]

Pat you just want one you can polish don't you?

[PatBuckley]

Assolutely!

How about this -- David, how much extra to get one already polished? Also - how much of a weight saving do you anticipate?

(See, I'm learning!)

[David Kee]

Our nodular iron case and tailhousing are $275 each right now if purchased seperately. The price on the aluminum parts should not be much more than that. I am guessing the weight lost would be approx. 20 pounds. I don't know if you could get me to polish one but it should be fairly easy if the castings come out as good as the nodular iron pieces.

[PatBuckley]

David -

At that price (or even reasonably close) consider me a customer for one.

When would you know if I could get you to have one polished?

When is availablity?

Thanks,

Pat

[Morris]

David

I'll be in the market for a Top Loader sometime in May... depending on when the car gets done.

Will the cases be thicker.... if not will that affect the strength of the Top loader.....500+ HP.....

FYI.... On Harley's if we polish the cases .... the motor runs hotter.... it seems that the rough surface is actually more surface area for cooling....I'm sure on a street car it's no big deal.... however.... just a thought to mention....

I like the polish finish as well.... and would want is as well.

Might as well look good as be strong and light....

[David Kee]

There were a few aluminum cases made by Alcoa for the Ford Race cars that appeared to be cast in the same dimensions as the iron cases. We would thicken some of the areas on the case but some areas can not be changed.
You are correct in that the pourous surface will run cooler. We are planning a billet aluminum top cover with cooling fins on the outside as well as the inside to cool oil as it is splashed up.

[badrich]

David: I am running with a freshly rebuilt 31-spline toploader. As I opted for an aluminum engine, I am interested in saving weight, but how much weight would I save with your case? And even more importantly, how strong will it be? My sideoiler puts out 560 HP and 532 FT LBS of torque. Presumimg all the parts are interchangeable, about how much would the new case cost? Thanks, Rich.

[Anthony]

Dave,

assuming you will producing an aluminum case,

What do you think the price of a new or rebuilt toploader utilizing the aluminum case will be?

When do you think the aluminum case will be produced?

Thanks.

[Ant]

David,

I mentioned to you recently about GFT5 transmissions and there were posts on the questionable torque loading capabilities of the transmission over 500ftIbs.
A Cobra replica, for racing here in NZ would require original style gearboxes and amount of forward gears. Going Toploader would be cheaper than a GFT5, stronger, more period and acceptable. The downside over a five speed is changing rear end ratios, and not so smooth shifting.

You mentioning looking into making alloy case and tailhousing plus finned top lid, this would interest me greatly as I am looking at a Dart alloy block to go 347 or a bit more cubes.

[blykins]

Ant....I have a Toploader in my Shell Valley that I built. I haven't bought the shifter and linkage yet, but I've heard that with a Hurst shifter, you can't beat a Toploader in the shifting department. I can't wait to find out.

[Ant]

Blykins,
Are the Hurst shifters better than the Ford?
I would want it to still have the original looking gear lever and knob!

[blykins]

The Hurst shifters are a lot better than the stock shifters. You can have your cake and eat it too though....David Kee offers a 427 or 289 shifter kit....which includes a Hurst competition shifter, the rods and linkages, the correct mounting plate for whatever tailhousing you have, the correct shifter handle, the knob, trim ring, and shifter boot. I haven't seen one in person, but the pictures on the website look great. I'll be buying one for my car.

[David Kee]

It looks like we may actually loose more like 30# compared to the iron cases. All of the original and our replacement toploader parts will interchange with each other, including the cases.

The first samples are being produced right now. If everything works out I am guessing 4-6 months before I have pallets of them to use and sell.

It looks like we will be moving forward with the 2.87 first gear for the wide ratio boxes. This ratio should allow using less gear in the rear and still provide good low end performance without going to a 5 speed.

[Ant]

David,

I would be very interested in an alloy unit with lower first 2.87 gear!
If these Hurst shifters are a lot better than original linkages etc thats another bonus. I dont mind swapping rear ends occasionally, but at this stage I have 3.27 and 3.08, but might invest in a 3.55 ratio. We have a track here that has is mostly sprinting between corners with a 155mph straightaway.

I have raced with 31spline Nascar toploader, we replaced the bearings syncros etc, it was in brilliant hardly used order, shifted okay with Mustang shifter, turned it around rechromed, you couldn't tell the difference between that and an original 427 style shifter, sold the car and 12years later the trans is still good getting a good workout! There aint much wrong with a TL eh!

I am happy to wait six or twelve months to see what you come up with!