Top loaders are a very strong box. The standard Cussy box is a good box also. In an A model coupe the Cussy box would more than hold up. The only advantage the top loader has over the Cussy box is that it has synchro on first which will make it easier to drive in today's traffic, though they are pretty hard to get into first due to their inherent stiffness.

My comments about a tail shaft don't really matter in your situation as you will have to make a tail shaft up to suit anyway. The shorter top loader may actually be a good idea for your application. The top loader I am using has given me trouble free service for almost twenty years - seen out two clutches- and is still going strong, though I am sick of changing gears these days.

I would suggest that you get a new Hurst shifter from someone like Speedway Motors in the US, whichever way you go.

You could use an Oz Falcon four speed shifter and just block out the reverse gate. At one stage I was going to fit a straight line shifter like the Impala shifters we had here in Oz in the late sixties but thought it would muck up the seating. In your situation you will only be able to seat two in the front so that is probably not as important to you.

My earlier comments about a 58 Cussy box would work well for you even with a floor shift as they are a mirror Image of the earlier boxes with shift on the right side of the gearbox and would put the shifter closer to you.

I hope we haven't confused you.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Warren, I have the cusso box now and I dong mind using it as long as it is strong enough (won't brake under normal driving conditions, too old for burnouts and crap like that).

But after reading the link you put up it sounds like the aren't very strong, so I contacted a bloke that has the Toploader and he said they are a really strong box, so it sounds like the one to get.

The coupe will be a long way off but I'll do a build thread somewhere on here as I go, Trev.

Trev & Rick,

My point from earlier was to make sure you use the gearbox you will end up with and get the right parts so you don't have to buy again.

Do it right and do it once.

A Y powered A model will be a nice ride. don't forget some pictures.

cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

That gearbox should work fine. Take your clutch plate with you as well. That box should be the same as mine and should have the multi drillings on its mounting surface. Try to get the front tailshaft yoke for the box as well - theyre up there with unobtainium these days. The advantage of the top loader is that you end up with synchro in first. You will also need a speedo cable from an XT v8 sedan.

Regards


Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

I'm onto a 3 speed toploader, clutch, bell etc complete out of a 65 Ranchero that had a 289.

Will take my bell housing with me when I go see it to make sure it will fit.

Early top loaders will set you back more than the clutch you are looking at. If you use a top loader you will also need the tail shaft front yoke and then get a new tail shaft made up to suit. You may find a tailshaft that is the right length but the original diff end uses an odd uni joint. The toploader box is shorter than the original. Mine 20 years ago cost $250 - I hate to think what it would cost now to get manufactured. If I had to do it all again now I wouldn't have bothered. The original gearbox was a nicer shift. The 58's used a right hand side shift plate gearbox and did away with the crossover. The top loader needs to be one that has the extra holes on its mounting flange. You use the two top inner bolt holes which are really awkward to get to in the car. The crossover for the top loader is a mongrel thing and does not work as good as the original Cussy one.

My gearbox came out of an XW ute or taxi. It is a three speed. I have kept it column shift as I like the ability to carry three people and keep the floor clear. A top loader floor shift will cost as much as the box in Oz. you will be lucky to get out of the whole thing for under $1000.

You can pick up floor shifts on eBay.com (US) that will fit the original box.

Your car will be worth more in the long run with the column shift and bench seat. If you don't like the crossover look out for a 58 star model box.

Regards




Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Thanks for the link Warren, sounds like the cusso box isn't worth the hassle!



When you say early Toploader what year is an early one?



Cheers, Trev.

Rick & Trev,

Here it is  customline gearboxs have a 1" dia input shaft

early toploaders have a 1" shaft, later 1 1/16" & big block 1 3/8"

Found here a a two miniute google search and here http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forums/Topic2564-5-1.aspx

Cheers

Warren 

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

I presume you found something like this.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/V8-Ford-Falcon-302-Clutch-Kit-XR-XT-XW-XY-XA-XB-/280677845291#ht_1989wt_689

This is the kit I have used in the past. You could drop aussiebill a pm on this forum, or ring him - Cusso Bill in Salt Ash, NSW. He'll see you right.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

I'm in Wonthaggi.

What I have at the moment is a 272 in need of a re-build, a good gear box, a flywheel and bell housing with clutch fork.

So I need the whole clutch from scratch.

It's going in a 1930 A coupe and I don't intend on changing anything once it's together.



Would you suggest I get an original clutch setup and rebuild that? Trev.