Question Toploaders....

[Stangninjak]

I have a Toploader 4 spd, and I notice that I have fluid..(gear oil) all over my exhaust I take it the seals are shot, and its leaking. Since the gear oil seems to be leeking out, is this whats making it hard to shift into second under load ? and do I need a whole rebuild kit, or just a seal kit.. ?

Help and thanx in advance.

 

[Rusty67]

Step 1, find the leak.
Step 2, check your fluid level.
Step 3, fix the leak.
Step 4, put in new fluid.
Step 5, drive the car.

If you still have problems shifting then you may need to rebuild the trans. You should be able to do the tail shaft seal without pulling the trans from the car.

While you are at it, you should adjust the clutch. Improperly adjusted clutches can cause problems with shifting under load.

 

[Stangninjak]

Thanx. talked to Top Loader heaven guy, he says it could be my blocking gear ? and I need a new seal kit. So..may need to get that rebuild kit and get to work, or heh just get a nice PA c4 and say the heck with shifting all together

 

[D.Hearne]

You need a rebuild kit with the seals and blocker rings. These are what are commonly referred to as the syncronizer rings. Your 2nd gear blocker ring is worn. A rebuild kit runs about $200, and you can rebuild it yourself, if you've got a clean work table to do it on. They're not hard to rebuild, just takes a little patience. Add the cost of a quality clutch and pressure plate, and you'll have a bullit proof transmission that'll outlast a C-4 by decades, not to mention handle torque a C-4 won't.

 

[brin0357]

Toploader is such a kickass tranny. People bash them so much and I dont get it, they just go out and do a t5.... haha

 

[Stangninjak]

Hmm thanx D.Hearne. Once again you come through with some sage advice. I keep hearing a toploader is dam near indestructable when build correctly, and in truth, I have know idea when the last time this has been maintence. So..I guess I will pick up the kit from David Kree's sight. Is there any special tools I may need ? I notice top loader heaven rebuild kit came with tools.... ?? ........

Edit: Also is there such a thing as a "short throw shifter" for a toploader ? heh sometimes it feels like I am shifting a semi from 1st to 2nd

 

[dennis112]

Hmm thanx D.Hearne. Once again you come through with some sage advice. I keep hearing a toploader is dam near indestructable when build correctly, and in truth, I have know idea when the last time this has been maintence. So..I guess I will pick up the kit from David Kree's sight. Is there any special tools I may need ? I notice top loader heaven rebuild kit came with tools.... ?? ........

Edit: Also is there such a thing as a "short throw shifter" for a toploader ? heh sometimes it feels like I am shifting a semi from 1st to 2nd

Why not get your parts from the Toploader Heaven guy? Mark is quite knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. He offers a CD that has instructions and hundreds of pictures of a rebuild. He also offers a small tool set that helps get the job done easier.

I've used his stuff for 3 different rebuilds this summer and am quite pleased with his service.

 

[LMan]

+1 for Mark. Great guy, great service, top notch.

I wouldn't go anywhere else.

 

[tinfixer]

trannie leaks

I had the same problem but I have a three speed. I had just put in a new clutch, filled up the trannie and drove around. I looked underneath and oil was everywhere. What I found is that there is a plate on the top of the trannie, 4 bolts with a gasket. I found the bolts loose and oil was being thrown from the top and raining down on everything..

 

[D.Hearne]

Hmm thanx D.Hearne. Once again you come through with some sage advice. I keep hearing a toploader is dam near indestructable when build correctly, and in truth, I have know idea when the last time this has been maintence. So..I guess I will pick up the kit from David Kree's sight. Is there any special tools I may need ? I notice top loader heaven rebuild kit came with tools.... ?? ........

Edit: Also is there such a thing as a "short throw shifter" for a toploader ? heh sometimes it feels like I am shifting a semi from 1st to 2nd

I've only dealt with David Kee. Can't comment on the other guy. I didn't need any special tools to do the three that I did. Hardest part is replacing the front and rear bearings, a bearing puller might be necessary there, in my case it wasn't. Only other tool needed is a snap ring pliers. Trickiest parts to install or remove are the shift shaft detents. Make sure you put them back where they came from. As for shifters, I've always used Hurst, I believe there was one short throw unit, but it may have required floor surgery to work. I don't think any will be as short as the modern transmissions though. David Kee also includes instructions with his kits. The set he sent with mine, came from the old "Motor Repair Manual" (1964-1970) which I already had, they may seem primitive, but if you follow the instructions to the letter, it's a piece of cake.