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Toploader 3 speed with overdrive
I just dropped what I thought was a toploader into my car. But the
first drive showed that the gear ratios where completely out of whack. I now think that it is a late 70's three speed with overdrive with a Tag ID of RUG BP (David Kee calls these toploader imposters :(). My engine has the legs to pull the wider ratios. But my main concern is that I have seen these gearboxes refered to as a light duty gearbox. I have a 351 Cleveland putting out 350hp and 360 ft/lb at the crank. I am not generally a gearbox abuser, but do I have to worry about mangling this box whenever I smoke up the rear end or put in an agressive launch or shift?: |
This tranny won't work. Remove the top cover and you will see why. Fourth gear OD is where third normally is on a Toploader. Look at the size of the gear. It looks like something a jeweler crafted. With your power, it is only a matter of time.
The case can be retrofitted to take Toploader parts, though. Contact David Kee and he can provide you with what you need. You already have the case and tail. The rest is pretty easy. |
I had at one time thought of buying one of these trannys to rebuild to a wide/close ratio box, but the cost was prohibitive, as too many parts needed to be replaced, including all gears, as well as the mainshaft, and the tailshaft housing because the shifter mounting bolts were wrong. The only way it made any sense is if I got the tranny for free, but since you already have the tranny, then it may be worth it, but I think you may still be better off just to buy a tranny from dave kee, and sell the one you have.
The gears in the OD toploader have thinner teeth, and/or weaker teeth, than the standard close/wide ratio trannys. The mainshaft is different as well, although it is a 28 spline output. |
Thanks for your help guys.
It was an honest mistake by the guy who supplied the gearbox to me and he is tracking down another toploader for me. The real mystery is how this gearbox ended up in Australia. I cannot think of any Ford sold in Australia that had a floor shift 3 speed with overdrive fitted to it. Unless some Broncos where fitted with this gearbox, it looks like it was probably in a car that was privately imported. :confused: |
I had thought about using one of the overdrive top loaders for may cobra to get a better highway gear. Most of the overdrives were in pickup trucks.
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A few '79 ford f-100s came with the that OD set-up. I know b/c
I had one. WB |
I've used a couple behind some Flathead powered rods that weren't hopped up. They also came in early Fox-bodied GT Mustangs. It's been about a year or 2 since I did the last one, but besides the gear strength issue, I think they also used ATF for a little increase in gas mileage and had different inner bearings to work with the ATF. The flathead was the only engine I felt comfortable putting them behind:-).
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