Looking for Toploader

[bishop1911]

After consideration, I have decided to not rip my car up and modify the floors, but instead will put in a Toploader 4 speed. Does anyone have one available for 67 390GT fastback or can someone reccomend a good trustworthy place? I have looked at David Kee, but a couple things I don't like are the prices which seem high and extra charges like the crate fee they ship it in ($150 unless you return it which costs return shipping and must be done within 15 days) and their warranty is only 90 days. That kind of bothers me. If this is so good, and your product is so reliable, then why only warranty for 90 days. I would almost rather buy a core, then have a local shop rebuild that I can go back to if there is an issue, instead of constantly shipping a 150 lb plus item if there is an issue which they state "customer is responsible for shipping". Thanks for the help guys.

Jon

 

[Pbum5]

Big block toploaders are not cheap.

You can get a used one off of ebay and have it rebuilt locally to save a bit over the David Key.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...010QQitemZ200080411458QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


Here is another place for parts

http://www.toploadertransmissions.com/

 

[D.Hearne]

The 390 transmission isn't a big block Toploader. It's a small block unit with a shorter front snout. The tailhousing shifter location is forward of where the small block units are, but some small block tailhousings have both locations, 5 bosses there instead of three. David Kee's prices are at what they are because he's very thorough, every thing in his rebuilds has been changed, the only parts reused are the main case and tailhousing and possibly the main shaft (I don't recall here, but he clearly lists what's done on his site) His warantee is like it is due to the nature of the customer's useage, many are immediately drag raced and only drag raced. I wouldn't warantee something like that longer either. Ford doesn't warantee their crate motors either. It the nature of the beast. I've done business with him a few times, even met him once, he drove 450 miles to my house to personally pickup two Toploaders I sold him. That's dedication. He needed one of them to dissassemble to ship the main shaft to a customer in England. You can always buy a Toploader and rebuild it yourself, it ain't hard to do. The basic rebuild kit runs about $150, more if you end up installing new gears. David's rebuilds have all new gears. Add the prices up and it ain't hard to get to the price he charges for one. Then compare it to a new, weaker 5 speed. The small block Toploader will handle 600 ft/lbs torque.

 

[Rodcobra]

I have one for sale its a 66 model from a 289 fastback . Pm me or just call me ,my # is in the info in my sig.
www.mustangweek.com

 

[bishop1911]

Toploader

Will that toploader even work in my car? I have 390GT engine in 67 Fastback. I am trying to find the proper coded transmission. I want to try and put in thte proper transmission. Thank you though for the help.

Jon

 

[D.Hearne]

Will that toploader even work in my car? I have 390GT engine in 67 Fastback. I am trying to find the proper coded transmission. I want to try and put in thte proper transmission. Thank you though for the help.

Jon

At most all you'd need to do is swap the tailhousing for the 66-70 390 Stang/Fairlane unit. David Kee sells these too. With the 289/302/351 Toploaders, you can use the easier to find truck bellhousings. With the 390 specific Toploader you have to use the 390/428 Bell that was used in the Galaxie, Mustang, Fairlane etc. (car bell) The car bell is about 1/2 to 5/8" shorter than the truck bell.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Add the prices up and it ain't hard to get to the price he charges for one. Then compare it to a new, weaker 5 speed. The small block Toploader will handle 600 ft/lbs torque.

Yeah, just look in that auction that Pbum5 posted. Nearly $1000 not including shipping and thats a USED transmission.

In fact, I have a short tailhousing/small shaft BB toploader in my smallblock Mustang. All I had to do was change the input shaft and use the right bellhousing. Of course that meant tearing most of the trans apart, but it was worth it.

I'll attest to their strength. I broke the main case on one before anything else was damaged.

My old man has a narrow-pattern Galaxy toploader he'd like to sell.....for some reason he wants to put a 3550 in his '57 Ford Custom.

 

[D.Hearne]

Ouch!!! He paid way too much for that one. Only three bidders though and the winner was a noobie. Wonder if he didn't stiff the seller?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Yeah, I wouldn't touch a used transmission for $1000.