3-Speed Toploader swap to 4-Speed Toploader

EL1NOR · Apr 17, 2004

Hey guys,
My 67 Fastback came with a 3-speed manual transmission. I recently purchased a WIDE ratio 4-speed toploader with 28-spline on it. Perfect for my little 289 ($414 shipped).

My questions is this: What will I need to do the swap??? Will my 3-spd bellhousing work with the 4-sp?? Will I need to change my speedometer cable? I already purchased a new backup-light switch for the 4-spd and I need to purchase the Hurst Competition Plus shifter and shift linkage kit along with the boot (another $309 grrrr!). I'm hoping that I can just swap my bellhousing, speedometer cable, transmission yoke, clutch, flywheel, etc...

Anyone with any knowledge or experience please give me some help if ya can!

Thanks,
-Tim

candy-a-Mach1 · Apr 17, 2004

Great find !

I did this swap on a '70 with a 302 many years ago. Although it was quite a while back, I think the only thing that I had to change was the speedometer gear for some reason. Even that might not be true. I'm sure that I used the same bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, slip yoke and drive shaft. The 4-speed I used had a little shorter (1/4") splined shaft, and I had to get a longer pilot bushing. Better measure. But other than that, it was a smooth swap.

Good luck !

rbohm · Apr 18, 2004

if you have a small block top loader, then this is a bolt in swap. you may have to use a longer speedo cable, and a different gear, some top loaders used a reverse rotation gear on them it just depends on which side the gear goes in the tranny.

D.Hearne · Apr 18, 2004

Mainly it's the Galaxie Toploaders that used the reverse rotation speedo gear, I think some Torinos did also. If the tailshafts between the 3 and 4 speed are similar, then it'll work. You may also have to enlarge the shifter hole in the floor, I did this back in the early 80's on a 67, but at the time I wasn't aware that there were different Hurst shifters for different applications.

EL1NOR · Apr 18, 2004

Thanks for the replies guys!

As far as the potential changing of the speedometer gear... how hard is it to do? Mainly... what is involved in doing it?

-Tim

D.Hearne · Apr 19, 2004

The drive gear is on the tailshaft, just remove the tailhousing and you'll see it. The tail is held on by 5 bolts, the drive gear is retained by a snap ring and kept from rotating on the shaft with a small ball bearing. The driven gear is on the speedo cable and is retained by a snap ring clip

3-Speed Toploader swap to 4-Speed Toploader

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