The '68 T/A restomod made some progress today.

[65ShelbyClone]

I got the engine and trans sitting in the car now . I've been waiting since April to get all the parts and time together, and now it finally happened. I didnt forget the progress pictures either.

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Notice the "big block" short shaft tailhousing and Hurst shifter hardware. It fits fine in a Mustang with a smallblock, contrary to what just about everyone says .
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And here is how it sits now. No more nose high/non-running stance. Alot of engine for such an ugly car, huh?
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The car started with:
289, C4, A/C, P/S, vinyl roof, and manual drums.

Along with my sig, it will soon have Granada discs, a 9" w/3.50 t-Lok, and side-exit exhaust with cutouts .

 

[1320stang]

The shirt shaft tailhousing is the key. The real difference between the big block and small block tranny are the size of input/output shafts and the first gear ratio. A BB tranny has a 2.32 1st gear or "close ratio" and the SB tranny has a 2.78 1st gear or "wide ratio". There were long and short tailhousings and approporiate output shaft for both the SB and BB trannys depending on what vehicle they were mounted in. And even then some of the tailhousings had shifter mounting bosses in different locations, mainly on the long ones.

 

[4MuscleMachines]

Your hard work is paying off big time!

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Your hard work is paying off big time!

Thanks. I forgot, until I can afford some TTs, I'm going to have some 15x7 steel wheels just the 14a on it now. Add some dog dish center covers(like the '71+) and it'll look pretty unassuming.....until I start it.

The shirt shaft tailhousing is the key. The real difference between the big block and small block tranny are the size of input/output shafts and the first gear ratio. A BB tranny has a 2.32 1st gear or "close ratio" and the SB tranny has a 2.78 1st gear or "wide ratio". There were long and short tailhousings and approporiate output shaft for both the SB and BB trannys depending on what vehicle they were mounted in. And even then some of the tailhousings had shifter mounting bosses in different locations, mainly on the long ones.

I dont think all the BB Toploaders were close ratio. The one I have is out of a hipo 390 Fairlane and its a wide ratio(thankfully) and small shaft. I think either Williams' or Keyes' site says there were around 133 different Toploader part combinations. As for the tailhousing, everyone says you need one with the shifter mount at the very back for a Mustang, but mine fits in my car no prob. I was surprised is all.