Need info for Rebuild Toploader

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 12:39 PM

You should be able to tell the difference between thick gear oil and motor oil. If you can smell it, you'll know which one it is.

Toploaders will leak from around the shifter cams because there are o-rings behind each one. It is very well possible that it's leaking from there.

w-lewis · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 12:48 PM

I just had my TopLoader rebuilt by Southern Automotive, in McDonough, just ouside of Atlanta. They converted my wide ratio to a close ratio and did a great job. Price was reasonable. I have another TopLoader in another car that was built by SA. Never had a problem with it.

Chaplain · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi Priobe. I rebuilt a toploader about 10 years ago and consulted with a local racer/expert at the time and it went pretty easy. The main thing I had done was I brought the case to a machine shop and had them "cook" out all the sludge and chase all the threads. The next thing I had them do is spin the main shaft bearing surfaces to where the bearings were a slip fit. I brought the new bearings from the kit I bought and had them use them as a gauge. This only required removing very little metal, they did it with emery paper. This greatly facilitated assembly. Use wheel bearing grease to stick and hold all the roller bearings in place, the trans lube will "wash" it out once you start using it. Lastly, I was told (don't know if it's true) don't lose the "rice" sized detent previously mentioned, because they are fitted to each transmission and consequently are a bear to replace. The only problem I had was that the shift forks are held to the rail with allen head set screws. On one of them the hex stripped out. I ended up drilling it and then removing it with a Lisle Super Out.

PDUB · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 11:45 PM

See the following link for info on the rebuild...

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/transmission-talk/96764-toploader-information-here-post946847.html

Good luck!

priobe · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Chaplain or blykins,

Ok I am in the middle of the build ready for reassembly.

Where does the rice grain detent go?

The illustration is kind of unclear.

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:01 PM

The rice looking thing is the interlock pin. It goes between the two detents as shown in Patrick's page scan. It keeps the trans from going into two gears at once. There should be a little tiny bore in the 3rd/4th rail. It goes in there. Put a little thick grease around it to keep it from falling out.