car 4sp trannys

[ezernut9mm]

what car 4 speed (s) will work behind our fe's and how hard (read expensive) are they to find?
i would think a four speed out of a mid/late 60's full sized car would hold up to my f100 since it would be pulling only the empty weight of my truck.
i'm not much for cutting up stock nice pieces, but i really wouldn't mind a nice 4 on the floor to row through. and would one work with the factory bench seat? or would that be a problem? just thinking out loud.

[67fordkc]

I am planning on putting a 4 speed wide ratio top loader from a 69 small block mustang behind my 67 352. I will use my truck bell housing so that the input shaft will engage into the pilot shaft. My understanding is that the small block trannies have a longer input shaft so they will work. Everything that I have learned is from the advice on this site and there is a previous thread discussing this but I am not sure how to copy it here. As far as the cost of the transmission, I was lucky to have a rebuilt one given to me.

[4x4x4crewcab]

You may want to check out this site for information.
http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/

[FORDification]

A car-type 4-speed will work just fine....however:

As mentioned, the truck FE bellhousing is 7/16" deeper than the car FE bellhousing. This means any FE car manual tranny (Toploader included) will have a problem with it's input nose engaging into the pilot shaft. However, there's a way around this. Instead of using an FE tranny, use the small block trannies (Toploader included). They all have a longer input nose and it engages perfectly.

Actually, I think the small block Toploader would be a better match for a truck because it's a wide ratio with a lower 1st compared to the big block Toploader. Plus, the truck bellhousing takes the bigger 11 1/2" clutch compared to the 11" car bell.

(Close ratio) - 2.32 1.69 1.29 1.00
(Wide ratio) - 2.78 1.93 1.35 1.00

Bellhousings that will be used with a Toploader must measure 6 1/4" deep. If it measures 6 3/4" deep it is a truck bellhousing and should not be used.

Another option is to use a Dodge NV4500 transmission. It's a 5-speed manual that's virtually bulletproof and will bolt on with the right adaptor. Read the following thread for more info:

http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13389

[kid]

I dropped a Ford RUG code big block ten bolt top loader out of my 67 390 Super Stock Stang into my racing 68 SWB with no hassles. The Small block tranny will cause major problems. The input shaft can be changed though.

RUG code is the wide ratio. Street cars could get both but factory drag racers always got the RUG tranny with wide first to second and then ever other ratio was closer and closer to keep the car in the power band when it was under a heavy load.

[ezernut9mm]

wow. after looking at 4(3)crewcabs link, i have alot to learn about toploaders. so, it's off to school for me. thanks guys.

[kid]

We used RUG top loaders behind 2500 hp hemi engines in top fuel before Lenco trannies came out. They are tough. The rail I crew chiefed on had 2nd and 3rd missing. But we were the only rail in the Rocky Mountain region at the time that had reverse.

[67fordkc]

If the small block top loaders imput shaft is the right length to engage the pilot bearing, what other major problems could happen? I have been researching this for some time now and have been told it will work. Please advise before I make a major mistake. Thanks

[kid]

Small means different clutch disc. The SBF did never get above a 10-1/2 disc and the 360s used 11 minimum.

Ask a small disc owner how often he has changed the clutch disc in 10 years and ask a FE owner how often. Small discs owner in hot cars 2 or 3 times in 6 years, Hot FEs, what I have a clutch disc? Wow it never gives me any hassle it just keeps working. FEs love their 11 and 11-1/2 inch discs. Use the big input shaft and a car bell housing. My 68 SWB was set up that way and the cross member lined right up.

[68F250]

Use the existing truck 11 or 11 1/2 disc, it's the same 10 spline 1 1/16" 'small in' shaft size as the smallblock tranny.

[67fordkc]

Thanks, Barry. I tried my FTE 11" clutch disk on the top loader input shaft and it fit perfect. I will just use my FTE clutch setup.