I plan on putting 3+1 toploader in my red Comet GT. According to the former owner, it has a 4:62 rear in it, so the overdrive gear should be a help. The motor is basically stock with an Edelbrock Performer and a 1406 carb. I have no intentions to do anything but cruise with it, so I should be fine. I also have a complete 3.00 rear just in case. If this one works out, I will put another 3+1 I have in the Sprint Maverick for the same type of driving. It has a 3:00 rear. I also have a rebuilt toploader out of a '72 Mustang in reserve. Just in case the other ones don't work out. Jim
Agreed, half the reason behind the choice for the 4 speed is the BIG cam. Not to let too much out of the bag, but the high side is 7K RPM. The car pulls really hard to 7. It comes really quick with the 3.91's out back.
had a 3+1 in mine when I got it. was advertised as a 4 speed toploader... NOT. I ran that for awhile until the synchros were shot and it was popping out of 3rd gear regularly. Then i bought a REAL Toploader 4 speed and put in it. Can't remember for sure but I think mine is a wide ratio. It is which ever toploader that they put in the 390 Mustangs back in the day cause that is what it came out of, the guy I bought it from changed the input shaft so it would fit my 302. I love slammin' gears it is fun. Just sucks in my area because there is soooo much traffic. I really have to hit the back roads if I drive the car to work or it is a pain in the arse sitting in traffic inch by inch all the way to work and all the way home. If I take some of the really back country roads I can wind her out sometimes. The Yellow, 6 cyl is a C4 and that is what I drive the most cause it has A/C and the C4 is better in traffic.
Almost all the Toploaders were wide ratio. To find a close ratio is difficult and really doesn't gain you much unless you are going road racing. IMHO anyway.
My wide ratio 4 speed has lived a great long life sitting between my 351C and the stock 3.50 9 inch rear since 1972. No sense breaking up the set now. The C is just a tad bigger at 393 and the 9 inch now has 3.89 gears - same toploader though.
Most small blocks came with a wide ratio and most big blocks got the close ratio. The reason behide this is the big block had more toqure and didn't need the lower 1st gear.
Recently heard from a good friend about a close ratio toploader that came up for sale recently. I'll have to look into it a little more. The guy is sure it came from behind a FE car, but it could have been swapped out at some time. I hope its the real deal. I'd love to be able to play snatch and grab with a C/R TL in the Mav. I've been taking some hints on handling/bulletproofing from my Boss 302 Chassis Manual. Seems as though any "pony chassis" car can use the "tricks" listed to make a thoroughly functional curve carver. BTW, dkstuck, I'm not really good at keeping things quiet. On my first Mav, pretty much everyone in town figured out my combo. The car was stupid quick, which brings alot of attention. I hope this combo works even better!
Actually, you're right on. The only ones (if memory serves) that didn't (have wide ratio) were "custom ordered" or the "Boss" cars.
Several hundred '69 and '70 351's in Cougars had close ratio transmissions. Wide ratio was the preferred ratio, however. Street wise, the wide ratio is a much better transmission. Unless I am mistaken, the 3+1 toploader has the same first 3 gear ratios as a 3 speed, plus an overdrive gear of -.75. Personally, I like the power from a 3 speed on take off vesus a 4 speed, so a 3+1 toploader should make a good transmission for a street person and better mileage on the road. I have read that some opinions tend to believe they are a weak transmission, but I think for street use they should be fine. The two I have look fine inside. Just my thoughts. I will find out pretty soon when I install one in my red GT. Jim
i currnetly have a 3 speed toploader in my comet. but an old timmer hot rodder down the street from me is going to make me a good deal on a t-10 and i'm going to run that for now. if i like it i'll leave it. but if i run into a good deal on a toploader i'm wanting to go that rout.
