I just pulled a overdrive "toploader" out of a 250 car. It's the 77 psuedo toploader, looks almost identical to the real thing, fools a bunch of people. The first 3 gear ratios are almost the same as a 3 speed toploader and then it has a .87 overdrive. I put it next to my real toploader from a '66 mustang and measured, all lengths are the same except it looks like the shifter will sit about 1 and 1/4" farther forward. It didn't have a shifter but I have one on the way. $50 for everything from shifter handle to the linkage rods. I stole the trans from a Mexico junkyard, $50 for everything from the flywheel back and that included the correct pedal setup and homemade z bar. Tranny looks good, works fine. These trannies are available pretty cheap, on ebay they often go unbid, or about $150 tops(unless they manage to fool someone). Still sitting in junkyards. With gas the way it is I'm looking forward to putting this in a 250 car. The rap about them is that they aren't as strong as the real toploader and that they are basically a 3 speed with an overdrive. They were put in mid size cars. I'm starting to think they are still fairly strong though. A buddy just pulled one out of an F100 that had one of these behind a 302, ran for years that way and the tranny is still fine. So it will go in just like a real toploader, is cheap, and will get some mileage. I think probably a good option for our light cars. Found a Dagenham 4 speed including shifter in a Falcon too, but that's another story.
You did good. While it may be true that this tranny is not as strong as some toploaders, it is still plenty strong. They built these with many of the same parts and the case can be loaded with non-O/D parts to make a toploader. So the bad rap they get is a little undeserved. There is a website that slams them hard, but they are bias, it is a company that sells rebuilt toploaders. They have a monetary interest in keeping people away from this tranny. I was also told by a very highly esteemed toploader reconditioner that is local here, but nationally known, that with some very easy parts swaps from a toploader, this tranny can keep O/D but be just as strong. Apparently Ford cut corners on some key parts like input shaft during the 70s. So if you just swap in some earlier parts you come out just as strong. Everything but gears are a simple swap. I say go for it. You can also put a Stang tailshaft on the tranny if you want the shifter to sit further back. Good luck Dave
I found out about those the hard way. Bought one out of a junkyard for $50. Thought I got the deal of the century until I found out what it really was. I did sell it for $30 so the lesson only cost me $20. Certainly not the most money I ever wasted.
Hmm, I've came across several of those in the junkyards around here and have often wondered about them.
Sounds like you thought you were getting a toploader... If you know what you are getting, and have a use for the O/D, then it is a good deal. If you thought you were getting a toploader, and had no use for an O/D, then you wasted your dough. Did I get your drift? Dave
I have a 3spd od in my driver but it is a SROD. With the 3.40's in the rear it is a nice compromise. Winds up quick in the first 3 then the od can run on the turnpike with traffic at 75 not winding out. Definitly not as strong as a toploader but I have jumped on it in first a time or three, ripped second and never broke it. But some guys can break anything.
not for racing but I think a perfectly good driving solution that will still be some fun. If it could pull a long bed full size 70's 302 ford work truck around for years it can't be too weak. Regardless of what David Kee says. (but his site did keep me from buying one someone was trying to pass as a real toploader) I imagine the weak spot would be 3rd anyway and what's even a built 250 going to do to 3rd? Gas is 2.69 a gallon here now, I'm a gonna use it happily. And go back to buying non oxegenated, non additive, non ethanol added, mexican gasoline. The price is back where it's cheaper.
I heard a breakdown not too long ago about the price of ethanol... To make it from corn costs like 30 bux a gallon! The dirty little secret is that farm subsidies that you and me pay bring the price down. The dirty politicians don't want ethanol in the fuel because it's cheaper. They want it in fuel so that farmers in their states get more welfare! Cheezes me off major that we are paying massive amounts for ethanol to appear cheap to the public, then the govt passes another law that requires gas distributors to add more ethanol... then the price goes up because ethanol demand goes up! We are taking it unlubed from every direction and we do nothing about it.
I agree! Seems if the Brazillians can make it work, we should be able to do it also. I think a good flush in D.C. is in order. What do you think?
They make it from Sugar cane and pretty cheaply. They have spent the past 30-35 years making it work...way ahead of us in that department. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1007/p05s01-woam.html
