Unfortunately I just discovered that what I thought was a 4spd toploader in my project car is actually a 3spd with overdrive. I'm still considering rebuilding it, depending on how good of a transmission it is (gotta do some research). For now though, I've been looking at other options including a Borg Warner T-10. I've got a 302, and obviously the bellhousing to match up to the quasi toploader. How much trouble would this be, and is it a decent transmission? Please excuse my lack of tranny knowledge.
The T10, although not as stout as the toploader, is a good transmission. Ran many of them back in the day before the toploader was introduced. Also ran one in my Sprint untill its restomod back in 02. Most problems I've has is worn syncros which usually causes it to pop out of gear when your de-accelerating.
Yeah, the transmission I've got now has got a worn 2nd gear and kicks out. I'd prefer a toploader, if I can find one cheap, but thats not easy. Looking on David Kee's website I've pretty much figured out I've got one of the "Toploader Imposters". Manufactured at the right time, with the rib for the OD gear, and similar casting numbers.
The "top-loader" that you have uses the same gears as the three speed top loader and is about as strong as the T-10. To kep the synchros from wearing use a ligt-weight shifter knob and kep your hand off the shifter except to shift it. Holding the shifter in second tightly until you are ready to shift into third will wear the second speed servo out faster. You might have a hard time finding a bellhousing with a bolt pattern that will match with the older T-10 but they are available. You can also use a scattershield that has both patterns.
I may end up buying a three speed rebuild kit, or just fixing the 2nd gear synchro. The other problem is that right now the shifter is really sloppy. I havn't taken a good hard look at it, but it has no external linkage, so I'm not sure how to fix the slop. The shifter bolts directly into a coke can size assembly on the tailhousing that feeds into the maincase. Pic below.
You've got an SROD there, not the so called Toploader imposter. The bellhosuing you've got also fits the Tremec 5 speeds. Same bolt pattern as teh old Toploader, but deeper for the longer input shaft. As such, you cannot use this bellhousing with an older Toploader. To swap to a Toploader you'll also have to swap the bellhousing.
You can replace the shifter with an after-market one. That replaces all the cheap and worn parts and you can select thethrow lebgth that you want.
I've been looking around, and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of SROD parts. I'll just keep looking. I think for now I'm going to fix this transmission so I can get the car on the road.
You may never find SROD shifter stuff, these never were very popular transmissions, especially after they were replaced in about 82-83 with the T5.
Your SROD is truelly a Mustang version by way of the location of the shifter. It also has the longer input shaft which requires the deeper bellhousing. It doesn't bolt up to an early BH without some mod's. As far as the sloppy shifter the reason for that is most likely the plastic bushing at the very bottom of the shifter is either broken or disintegrated. You are right there aren't a lot of parts available for the SROD but they are around. To get a new bushing for the shifter contact www.5speeds.com'. He has the bushing and also has rebuild kits for the SROD. Give him the data off the trans and tell him if it's a car or truck version for the right kit. It's almost the same as a normal toploader as far as the rebuild kit goes. You can email me if you have any more questions. RS
T-10 swap I had a '72 Maverick when I was a teenager (1983). IT had a stock 302 with the exception of 4 barrel intake and 650 Holley. I wanted to go from a 3-speed to a four. I first tried the Top Loader 'cauze I heard it was the best but when I got under the car with it it was more than I was prepared to handle so I took it back and got a T-10 which was much easier and with my motor it run awesome and proved bulletproof. Good luck. Now...does anyone have some suggestions regarding clutch pedals for a '73 auto-to-T-5 conversion?
SERE guy, As I mentioned before yours is a Mustang version SROD not a fake toploader as pictured and mentioned on David Kees' website. Those are 77/78 versions and were cast case not aluminum as with the SROD. They also had the shift linkage on the outside like a toploader. The SROD is a 3 spd w/OD. It has a longer input shaft by about 3/4" similar to a T-5. It needs the deeper BH because of the shaft length. Has the same bolt pattern as any 66 and up toploader but the shaft would hit bottom on the early BH. A better version that WOULD bolt to a early BH is a truck/Bronco version which has the same input shaft length as a toploader. But the shifter is located in the very front of the tailhousing which is a good fit for an early falcon but wrong for a early mustang. It also has larger main bearings which makes them more durable which is better for truck use. It's not the most durable trans but is a good dependable performer. It's like a ford toplaoder 3 spd with an overdrive added. I have run one for almost 20 years without any problems. Will probably retire mine soon though it is still working just fine. There are number of companies selling parts. You have to search for them as they are out there. 5speeds.com amoung others sells rebuild kits and some parts for the SROD. That's where I got my rebuild kit. That would solve the 2nd gear dropout problem. Replacing the nylon shifter bushing located at the bottom of the shifter in the shift turret (that's what it is called- a 'turret') should fix the sloppy shifter problem. RS
