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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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Whats wrong with my Toploader?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 68conv4sp
  • Start date Start date May 23, 2006
6

68conv4sp

New Member
Oct 24, 2005
270
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0
May 23, 2006
#1
  • May 23, 2006
  • #1
My Toploader (RUG) sometimes will not go into any gear except reverse. No grinding. It is as though gears 1-4 had stops on them. I put it into reverse several times to get it working. (using 80-90 Redline) Any ideas?
 

dennis112

15 Year Member
May 15, 2005
1,561
36
79
Amish Wonderland of Central PA.
May 23, 2006
#2
  • May 23, 2006
  • #2
68conv4sp said:
My Toploader (RUG) sometimes will not go into any gear except reverse. No grinding. It is as though gears 1-4 had stops on them. I put it into reverse several times to get it working. (using 80-90 Redline) Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Can you put it into gear when the motor is not running? If not then it could be a shifter issue. In that case, you should crawl under the car and remove a shift rod temporarily and see if you can get it into any gear.
 
6

68conv4sp

New Member
Oct 24, 2005
270
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May 23, 2006
#3
  • May 23, 2006
  • #3
I haven't tried it with the motor off as I am usually panicking at an intersection or something. I'll try it. Thanks.
 

jcode68

Active Member
Jul 15, 2003
892
1
29
Massachussetts
May 23, 2006
#4
  • May 23, 2006
  • #4
Sounds like your shift linkage needs to be adjusted. I have done this on the 3 speed and it is similar for 4 speeds. Made a world of difference before and after on mine when I did it. I found this articel which describes the process and even has a nice picture. Good luck!

http://www.classictiger.com/techtips/toplodr/topldr.html
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
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south louisiana
May 24, 2006
#5
  • May 24, 2006
  • #5
I'd also replace the lube with regular gear oil. Toploaders and synthetics don't work welll together. Something like Pennzoil 85W-140 is what you need in there.
 
6

68conv4sp

New Member
Oct 24, 2005
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May 24, 2006
#6
  • May 24, 2006
  • #6
JCode, thanks for the reference. It is excellent with pictures!

DHearne, I am surprised that the heavier weight hydrocarbon oil would be better. Does it change the way the synchros behave?
 
G

gjz30075

Member
Aug 30, 2004
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Roswell, Ga
May 24, 2006
#7
  • May 24, 2006
  • #7
68conv4sp said:
DHearne, I am surprised that the heavier weight hydrocarbon oil would be better. Does it change the way the synchros behave?
Click to expand...

Yes, the syncros need friction to operate correctly and synthetics, at least is the recent past, are so slippery that the syncro can't do its job of bringing the next gear up to speed.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
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0
south louisiana
May 24, 2006
#8
  • May 24, 2006
  • #8
68conv4sp said:
JCode, thanks for the reference. It is excellent with pictures!

DHearne, I am surprised that the heavier weight hydrocarbon oil would be better. Does it change the way the synchros behave?
Click to expand...
Ditto on what gjz30075 posted Yea, more drag on the syncros and gears. The Toploaders were designed well before synthetic lubes were used in cars. David Kee recommends against using synthetics as well. www.4speedtoploaders.com
 
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