Hey guys. I'm building a 56 F100, mostly from parts from anything I can find.
My question is, I have a 351c and want to put a Toploader behind it. The one I found is a HEH-J from a Galaxie. It is a close ratio. I'm just wondering on how the drivability is going be with 4:10 in the rear. I have found so many mixed comments that go completely off track from the question. It is mostly going to be driven around town and some highway. I don't want to be going 55 and red lining the engine.

 

What size tire are you running?

For example, if you are running a 235/75x15, a 29 inch tire, you will be turning 3087 RPM at 65 MPH. Not the redline, but a bit high.

Do you have the toploader yet?

Are you going to hammer on this thing?

Is your motor a fire breather?

IF:
--no trans yet,
--no hammering
--no fire breathing

THEN:

Consider T5.

 

Yes I do have the trans. I do not know much yet about engine internals, bought it about two weeks ago. I'm not going be out running cops on a daily base, but want it to be able to hold its own if needed.😁 I will never have it on the drag strip.

 

Well, that toploader will be fun with great gear spacing. The 4.10s will save you on start up and you'll be really glad for them when starting on a hill.

The RPMs at 65+ might serve as a governor for you!

Run it. Do you have your bell and clutch figured out?

 

It's in the truck just have to figure out the clutch. I was thinking going hydraulic with external slave.

 

IIRC '57 to maybe '60 have juice clutches. Master looks just like the brakes. We had a '58 F600 but I never inspected the under dash or clutch fork set up.

In the later model stuff, quoting information here: Originally Posted by NumberDummy

 

No my brake pedal is firewall mount and I was going to fabricate the clutch pedal once I found something that would work. I will be going to the pick and pull again this weekend to see what I can find.
Thanks for all the help.

 

I'm just wondering on how the drivability is going be with 4:10.

Folks have been driving OD transmissions for too long. The first brand new truck I ever bought was a 1972, 3/4 ton GMC with a 4.10 gear. I put over 100,000 miles on it in 3 years, mostly interstate. Never worried about how many rpms it was turning at 80mph. It only hurts the gas mileage. I have a 3.70 gear in my 65 and it turns between 26 an 2800 on the highway, it kind of likes it there and just hums along at 9 mpg. Which works out fine since at my age that puts a tank of fuel and my bladder on the same schedule.

 

Is that Toploader a 390 transmission ? If it is the input snout is too short to work with a small block bellhousing. It will reach to the edge of the pilot bearing/bushing but not into it, leaving the input unsupported when you engage the clutch. If you can find a longer bushing (Boss 302/Bronco) you can fix this. Otherwise you'll need a small block input shaft for it. The 390's used the small block diameter input with a shorter snout. I would look into an aftermarket hydro clutch setup for this

 

You want the steeper gears with a close ratio toploader it will make it feel more like a wide ratio

 

Define "steeper"

 

Thanks everyone for your help and input. After twisting my knee at work, of corse my left, I have decided to go auto. Once again, Thank You

 

Good choice you will be a lot happier driving it around especially in traffic.