i have a top loader 4-speed that came out of a 64 galaxie.i has the old bolt pattern.will it fit a yblock.the engine in the 64 was a 390.it also has a long tailshaft.

The top loader will work but there may be a problem with the stock Y-Block bell housing. The front bearing retainer on the trans maybe too large to fit in the bell housing. Check the diameter of the retainer then check the inside diameter of the bell housing where the bearing retainer fits. This is a good idea because when you think everything will fit and get that 125lbs trans up to put it in it won't fit flush with the face of the trans case. You could have the bell housing turned out to fit the Top Loader but then you would only be able to use a Top Loader. A Borg Warner T-10 out of a 62-63 Big Block powered Ford will fit right in with no problems Except you may have to change the drive shaft yoke to fit the output shaft of the trans.

                                                                      Andy Of Mayberry

I am using a toploader from a 64 galaxie 390. It bolts up directly to the "old bolt pattern." the input shaft does not need to be shortened. This unit is a close ratio unit with a tall lower gear. If I remember correctly the low gear is 2:32 ratio and is rather tall. I am running a ford 9" with a 3:55 gear ratio. I think that is min for the Y-Block torque and performance.



Mine is also a 312 bored .040 and an Custom Isky Cam. Also a E-Code dual quad setup with two 500 CFM Edelbrock carbs.

The larger '57 exhaust manifolds and 2" exhaust thru glass packs.



The toploader made a significant increase in performance and fun pure fun.



Jim

  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE

Andy, just a hint, it is simpler to turn down the front bearing cover of the toploader to allow it to enter the bellhousing, which does not compromise use of bellhousing to return to normal trans later, and it is simple to do! Also would be advisable to measure length of input shafts.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Hi Stude,  As Bill said be sure to check the length of your input shaft.  Usually they need to be shortened.  If it bottoms out against the crankshaft, you will damage the crank and the thrust main bearing.  I put a toploader in a '57 T-Bird and had to shorten the input shaft by about 5/16".  As Andy said, I also had to turn down the front bearing retainer to fit inside the bell housing, local machine shop did that for me.  If you count the number of teeth on the 2nd gear (right in the middle of the top opening) you can tell if you have a wide ratio (2.78 low gear) or close ratio (2.32).  28 teeth is close ratio and 31 teeth is wide ratio.  Also if your speedo cable comes in from the other side, you'll need a new speedometer gear with the teeth going the opposite direction.  You can get one from a Mustang supplier.  There was an article in the Mar-Apr 2004 Y-Block Magazine (issue #61) about this installation.  Hope this is helpful- good luck!  Nick Brann, K.C., MO

Nick is correct - I put a toploader behind a 312 in my 54 and had to cut the bearing retainer and shorten th input shaft. I think the shortening was 3/8, but always measure this. Cut the retainer, not the bellhousing. The retainers are available, the bells are getting harder to find.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

thanks for all the help,guy's the input shaft is 5 inches from the flat circle to the end of the shaft.i have a bunch of toploaders some have 5.5 input shaft

the top loader with the new bolt pattern would have the long shaft.

The Toploader 4 speeds with the longer input shaft are originally from behind the small block Ford (SBF) engines and have a 2.78:1 low gear.  The big block Ford Toploader 4 speeds will have the shorter input shaft which requires no length modification if being used behind a Y-Block.  These have a 2.32:1 low gear.  All big input Toploader 4 speeds except those that came behind the Boss 302 engines will also have the shorter input shaft and a 2.32:1 low gear.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

the only ones i used came from small blocks you dont see to many behind fe blocks.at least not 3 speeds.the small block ones are everywhere but wind up to quick in low behind any engine with real power.