Toploader Swap 1967 390

[123rowling]

Hello,

I am new to this site and am reaching out for some help.

I have a 1967 Mustang Fastback, 390, c6, originally a 4 speed car. I have come into possession of a toploader RUG E2. Tail housing C4ZR-7A040-A which is a mustang/cougar 289 1964-1972. I have gathered as much info as I could about this transplant and please correct me if I'm wrong, the tail housing shifter mounts are to far back, and the input shaft is to long. My questions are,

1) Does Hurst or anyone make a kit that moves the shifter location to the right location?

2) The mounting for the transmission mount is opposite of what I am used to, Is this a problem, or is the mount correct for a mustang? I have always thought that a C4 crossmember would work, at least it did on my 66 mustang. The mounting holes are from front to back and I have always seen side to side mounting holes.

3) Will the input shaft work with a 390 or can it be cut down, or does it need replacing?

4) Will a Truck bellhousing correct the input shaft length?


Thank you,

Adam

I could not find a donation button, tell me were it is and I'll send some gas money to the web site.

 

[dennis112]

Hello,

I am new to this site and am reaching out for some help.

I have a 1967 Mustang Fastback, 390, c6, originally a 4 speed car. I have come into possession of a toploader RUG E2. Tail housing C4ZR-7A040-A which is a mustang/cougar 289 1964-1972. I have gathered as much info as I could about this transplant and please correct me if I'm wrong, the tail housing shifter mounts are to far back, and the input shaft is to long. My questions are,

1) Does Hurst or anyone make a kit that moves the shifter location to the right location?

2) The mounting for the transmission mount is opposite of what I am used to, Is this a problem, or is the mount correct for a mustang? I have always thought that a C4 crossmember would work, at least it did on my 66 mustang. The mounting holes are from front to back and I have always seen side to side mounting holes.

3) Will the input shaft work with a 390 or can it be cut down, or does it need replacing?

4) Will a Truck bellhousing correct the input shaft length?


Thank you,

Adam

I could not find a donation button, tell me were it is and I'll send some gas money to the web site.

Welcome to the site!!!!!!!!

The RUG E2 is not a 66' Mustang tranny. Here is the info on it: RUG-E2 1968 Mustang, Cougar 289 wide 28-spline

Source was http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/idchart2.htm

I can help you on the input shaft--just cut it down. Here is a photo that shows the difference in the sbf vs. bbf tranny.

I wouldn't know why the shifter location would be different between a big block and a small block--the shifter would still need to go through the same hole.

The 427, 428, and 428 Mustang tail shafts are different to accommodate the larger diameter output shaft that these cars have. A stock 390 uses the same output shaft as a sbf.

See http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/tailhousingid.htm and study the pictures.

It does look like the shifter is mounted more forward in most of the examples--interesting.

 

[123rowling]

David's site is what I have been looking at. I have spent many hours searching the internet for information and most of it is conflicting. On david's site for C6OR-7A040-C & C7OR-7A040-A tailhousing he shows 1966-1969 mustang 390, mine (C4ZR) has mounting locations further back than the picture. I had read that ford made a plate that moved the shifter location forward when they ran out of the right tailhousings, I have know idea if that is true. As far as input shaft goes, has anybody just used a truck bellhousing to make up the difference? They are normally cheaper anyway. Anybody know about the mounting points for a toploader on a 1967?

Adam

 

[D.Hearne]

The input shaft is NOT too long , do not cut it back. If you do, then you're going to limit your bellhousing choices to the car bellhousings only. These go for a premium price today. The 60's truck FE bell will work for you, with the longer input shaft. Actually the only part of the shaft that's longer is the front snout. The extra length will be accomodated in the space behind the pilot bearing or bushing. I used the same small block Toploaders behind both a 390 and later a 427 in my 67 Fastback. As for the tailshaft housing's shifter location, David Kee sells new tailshaft housings for your application, there's a good chance he'd take the tailshaft housing on trade for the correct one, call and ask him.

 

[D.Hearne]

And just to make sure the truck bell will be OK, with the longer front snout, before bolting on the clutch and pressure plate, bolt the bell in place, then stab the transmission into place, then look up thru the bottom and verify that the input snout goes up into the pilot bearing/ bushing. I know that the truck bell doesn't work with the shorter FE inputs, but it should be Ok with the longer small block units. The input length is the same as the three speed and granny gear 4 speed truck transmissions that the truck bell works with. I found out all this the hard way twenty years ago with my Stang when the original car bell cracked and I replaced it with a truck bell. After breaking two transmission input bearings, I then realized something wasn't quite right.

 

[123rowling]

I knew that at least a couple of you guys had been down this road before. Thanks for letting me in on your past "learning" experiences.

Adam

 

[BB67FB]

Also in regards to your crossmember - if you have the original one it should be stamped "390 std" on it somewhere. I have a 67 fastback that came with a 390, but when i bought it someone had swapped in a 289. i was lucky enough to have the original transmission and crossmember though - maybe you will be that lucky too! just a thought.