SRod Tranny compatability and condition check

[Carnivore]

Okeydoke, I'm getting the Ford Racing 5.0 listed HERE

and I have an SRod sitting in my barn from an early 80's Capri with a 5.0. Will it probably just bolt up fine and dandy or is there anything I need to check?

Also, this Capri was beat pretty hard. The engine was pretty much shot. What can I check on the tranny to see if its in good shape or not?... just look for chipped teeth or perhaps some more?


Thanky

 

[bnickel]

the tranny should bolt up fine, provided that both the new 5.0 and the old 5.0 from the capri use the same size flywheel. they are probably both 157 tooth but i would double check just to make sure.

 

[Carnivore]

Sounds good. Any advice on checking the condition of the tranny?

 

[bnickel]

not much knowledge of manual trannies so i can't really help you there

 

[D.Hearne]

Pull the top cover and look at the guts. The brass syncronizers should have sharp edges on the teeth. If they're worn off, then you'lll have trouble shifting it. Don't expect any stellar 1/4 mile performances with it though, the SROD is a 3+1 OD 4th gear transmission. 1st is killer with a 3.07 ratio, then 2nd is 1.72, big drop in rpms there. OK with a torquey engine, but not without. The shifter likely won't fit thru your floor hole either. The bellhousing also works with a Tremec 3550, but not with an earlier Toploader.

 

[Carnivore]

Awsome, thats the kinda info I was lookin for. I'll try and yank the tranny out of its pile tonight and take a gander.


I wont be using it for drag... However I will be driving it across the country..

 

[Carnivore]

I just found a tag decoder for the top loaders here at the bottom of the page. The tag number I got off the tranny is:

Top line: RUG EM FC1
Bottom Line: E2Z RAA 0714

the decoder tells me its from a 1967 Mustang 289 wide ratio... but we pulled it from a early 80's Capri... You think its accurate?

The pulldown list only offers "RUG E" not "RUG EM" like it actually is... maybe thats the issue.


EDIT .. well I just found the answer myself I think .. right here. Apparently its probably the stock tranny from that rig... I just wish it had more specifics about it. Fiddlesticks.

 

[D.Hearne]

The SROD is an all aluminum cased transmission. The earlier 3+1 OD Toploader 4 speed ( late 70's to early 80's) is much like the older 4 speed Toploaders ( these didn't have OD) in that the main case and tailshaft are cast iron. The SROD also has an internal shifter mechanism, where the earlier types had external shifters and shifter rods. The 3+1 iron Toploader is easily identified by a bulge in the right front of the main case for the larger OD 4th gear on the countershaft.

 

[D.Hearne]

That link has some nice info, but he takes a jab at others who specialize in Toploaders, which he didn't need to do. THE best source for everything involving Toploaders is David Kee Toploaders.( www.4speedtoploaders.com) He has even progressed to the point where he's now building them new from the ground up. How did he do it? He's very good at what he does. And he always has time to answer your questions, even if you don't buy anything from him.