Bellhousing Ques
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From: S.E.Mo
Bellhousing Ques
I'm wanting to change from a T-98 to a Toploader 4spd in my 63. I've found a bellhousing with this casting # C5TA-7505-8. Does anybody think this would work? Any idea what size clutch I could run with this if it would work? Thanks, Al
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
I wonder if your bellhousing has engine mounting 'ears' on it. I don't believe that the C5TA-B bellhousing has those mounting ears.
BTW, If you do decide to swap bellhousings, I'd be interesting in buying your old one. I think it would fit my 54.
BTW, If you do decide to swap bellhousings, I'd be interesting in buying your old one. I think it would fit my 54.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Be careful when swapping Toploaders, the 390 specific Toploader 4 speeds will not work with a pickup truck bell. The pickup truck bell is too long for the input on these transmissions. It will work I believe with a std smallblock Toploader, they had a longer input than the 390's. Most 390 bells use a flywheel that has bolt pattern for an 11" clutch, some are for 11.5 inch clutches. The 11 inch discs will work with an 11.5 inch pressure plate ( 11.5 discs are harder to come by)
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From: Ohio
The lowdown on toploaders: smallblock trannies have the long snout, about 1 1/8" long(for crank pilot bushing), the big block trannies have short snouts(like only 1/2" long).
You can use a small block in a big block applications, but NOT visa-versa. The big block has enough room for the longer snout back in the crank hole, BUT the short snout(big block version) is NOT long enough to reach the crank pilot bushing(in a small block) and in turn will ruin parts due to no support.
I would suggest a std 11" clutch. 11 1/2" units are too odd ball for easy replacement. You will not ever know the difference operation wise. The 11" will be more than enough.
I run a std car bellhousing in my trucks. Works just fine. Never really paid attention to part numbers.
Larry
You can use a small block in a big block applications, but NOT visa-versa. The big block has enough room for the longer snout back in the crank hole, BUT the short snout(big block version) is NOT long enough to reach the crank pilot bushing(in a small block) and in turn will ruin parts due to no support.
I would suggest a std 11" clutch. 11 1/2" units are too odd ball for easy replacement. You will not ever know the difference operation wise. The 11" will be more than enough.
I run a std car bellhousing in my trucks. Works just fine. Never really paid attention to part numbers.
Larry
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From: S.E.Mo
Thanks Guys
. The Toploader I have is from a 66-67 Fairlane GT. I've had it sitting in the garage now for a long time ( had it rebuilt back in the mid 70's ), got it allong with the 390 it was attached to when I originally got my truck. So I need to look at Mustang/Torino/Galaxie's for the bellhousing it seems, bet that will be cheap
! Thats the sad part, I have a 351W with bell/flywheel but it won't fit that either, that I'd consider rebuilding.Any where else I might look for the parts I'd need? Awhile back, Hawkrod mentioned there was a possibility this tranny " MIGHT " fit my bellhousing ( for the T-98 ), but being related to Murphy I'm not getting my hopes up since that would be great. Al
. The Toploader I have is from a 66-67 Fairlane GT. I've had it sitting in the garage now for a long time ( had it rebuilt back in the mid 70's ), got it allong with the 390 it was attached to when I originally got my truck. So I need to look at Mustang/Torino/Galaxie's for the bellhousing it seems, bet that will be cheap ! Thats the sad part, I have a 351W with bell/flywheel but it won't fit that either, that I'd consider rebuilding.Any where else I might look for the parts I'd need? Awhile back, Hawkrod mentioned there was a possibility this tranny " MIGHT " fit my bellhousing ( for the T-98 ), but being related to Murphy I'm not getting my hopes up since that would be great. Al
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
If your Toploader came from a 390 FairlaneGT then no it won't work with that C5TA bell. Unless you can located or have a "long" pilot bushing made. There's a guy or place on Stangnet or the FE big block forum on network 54 that has these bushings ( or claims to) I believe he's located in California.
Lead Driver
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From: Ohio
The bellhousing you need should not cost you much. They are not gold plated or worth much.
I would do a little web surfing to find someone with an extra one. Heck, I'll check with some people I know. (seems I have a few FE's myself...but not many spare parts)
FORDFE.com is a place you might find someone with a spare. It is all FE and there are lots of guys there with spare parts, most being car oriented.
Larry
PS: is the tranny out of truck yet?? If so, just measure front inputs and compare. ( I hope I have not overlooked the obvious point that you dont have it apart yet)
I would do a little web surfing to find someone with an extra one. Heck, I'll check with some people I know. (seems I have a few FE's myself...but not many spare parts)
FORDFE.com is a place you might find someone with a spare. It is all FE and there are lots of guys there with spare parts, most being car oriented.
Larry
PS: is the tranny out of truck yet?? If so, just measure front inputs and compare. ( I hope I have not overlooked the obvious point that you dont have it apart yet)
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Lead Driver
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From: Ohio
BTW, do you know which toploader it is: wide or close ratio?? I hope it's the wide ratio.
To find out, put in first gear(rear most shift fork, rotate clockwise) and turn input and count output. Should be 2 3/4 turns to one out. (Wide ratio is 2.78 first gear, close ratio is 2.32:1 first). This is the most desirable unit for good overall driving. The close ratio does not have enough first gear to get it rolling easy. LOTS of clutch riding with close ratio. It's like starting in second gear in a wide ratio( I think it is like 1.91 second in wide ratio box).
Just some heads up.
Larry
To find out, put in first gear(rear most shift fork, rotate clockwise) and turn input and count output. Should be 2 3/4 turns to one out. (Wide ratio is 2.78 first gear, close ratio is 2.32:1 first). This is the most desirable unit for good overall driving. The close ratio does not have enough first gear to get it rolling easy. LOTS of clutch riding with close ratio. It's like starting in second gear in a wide ratio( I think it is like 1.91 second in wide ratio box).
Just some heads up.
Larry
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Lead Driver
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From: Ohio
Well come to think of it...I haven't price one in many years. I have had to purchase a couple new blowproofs.....ouch.
Did get a NEW steel wheel at Summit for $50!!!! (on the return table). Regular $300 hays steel flywheel.....got an extra one now.
Larry
Did get a NEW steel wheel at Summit for $50!!!! (on the return table). Regular $300 hays steel flywheel.....got an extra one now.
Larry
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From: S.E.Mo
Well all, yes the tranny is a wide ratio. Also, still driving the 63 so its tranny is still in the truck. You know if I could find the source for that " extended " pilot bearing, that would be the way to go. Maybe easier to rebuild the T-98 if this gets to be a big aggravation trying to scrounge up the parts. Around here theres all kinds of trucks for parts, but it seems it aint going to help me any. Al
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Bellhousings
With respect to the longer pilot bushing, I might suggest David Key Toploarers. He is THE expert and should be able to give you the straight skinny. www.davidkeetoploaders.com.
Purp
Purp
