Which toploader
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Which toploader
I'm installing a 428 CJ in my '62 Unibody and need the advice of some of you Ford experts out there. Primarily, which toploader is the best choice for this engine and truck combination? The engine had a truck 4-speed originally on it, so I have the original bell housing, but I sold the transmissiion with the truck.
If part numbers or secret codes can be provided, this would be really helpful when I go to the local swap meets and Craigslist ads. Also, is there a chance that a 5 speed from a Mustang GT could be bolted up to the 428?
Thanks in advance for the tips!!
If part numbers or secret codes can be provided, this would be really helpful when I go to the local swap meets and Craigslist ads. Also, is there a chance that a 5 speed from a Mustang GT could be bolted up to the 428?
Thanks in advance for the tips!!
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From: East Central Florida
Hydronut,
1st I'd like to take the time to welcome you FTE & our 61-66 F Series Forum Page. Our moderator John like to call us the Nations Information Truck Stop, Hello & CIAO 
I am not sure a GT 5 Spd will stand up to the torque a 428FE CJ puts out, I think you may need one like was run back in 60s behind 335hp-390FEs & street 427FEs. They had big input splines & took the big Long Type Clutch Discs. They took punishment a torque engine makes & kept running . .
As for the Bellhousing, there is not a common bolt up bellhousing that fits an FE Engine & 64 or earlier frame you can bolt a toploader, performance 4 gear tranny on too.
62s came with 292 "Y" Block Engines OEM & "FE"s likeyour 428 Cobra Jet have a different bell-hsg to block bolt pattern than "Y" blocks did.
So you may be able to get a bellhousing for an FE that will take a top loader 4 gear but it won't "bolt" into a 62 & act as the rear motor & tranny mount. Me thinks you have to engineer or purchase an engine & tranny mount set up for your 57-64 style frame, then your tranny bolt up would be solved by using the manual tranny Bellhousing for a 65 or later truck with an FE Engine. I say truck because it leaves the option of an 11" clutch on the table, P-Car mey be limited to 10" or 10-1/2" clutch diameter Flywheels
FBp
1st I'd like to take the time to welcome you FTE & our 61-66 F Series Forum Page. Our moderator John like to call us the Nations Information Truck Stop, Hello & CIAO I am not sure a GT 5 Spd will stand up to the torque a 428FE CJ puts out, I think you may need one like was run back in 60s behind 335hp-390FEs & street 427FEs. They had big input splines & took the big Long Type Clutch Discs. They took punishment a torque engine makes & kept running . .
As for the Bellhousing, there is not a common bolt up bellhousing that fits an FE Engine & 64 or earlier frame you can bolt a toploader, performance 4 gear tranny on too.
62s came with 292 "Y" Block Engines OEM & "FE"s likeyour 428 Cobra Jet have a different bell-hsg to block bolt pattern than "Y" blocks did.
So you may be able to get a bellhousing for an FE that will take a top loader 4 gear but it won't "bolt" into a 62 & act as the rear motor & tranny mount. Me thinks you have to engineer or purchase an engine & tranny mount set up for your 57-64 style frame, then your tranny bolt up would be solved by using the manual tranny Bellhousing for a 65 or later truck with an FE Engine. I say truck because it leaves the option of an 11" clutch on the table, P-Car mey be limited to 10" or 10-1/2" clutch diameter Flywheels
FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Dec 3, 2006 at 09:40 PM.
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Thanks for the welcome
I'm sorry but I should have mentioned that the 428 came out of a '73 F-250 that my brother owned, and I figure it's the best engine for my '62 so it's the '73 bellhousing that I have. Toploaders seem to have gotten really expensive around my part of the world so I was trying to find a more affordable transmission alternative that would work, but from what you say, maybe the toploader is still the best bet.
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From: East Central Florida
In My honest opinion I would agree with your assessment.
The only viable alternative is a substantial A/T. I run a Pro Built C-5 from a 351M/400 powered 79 F-150, behind a 460 in my 66 & it doesn't break or give me any grief, also C-6s do the same.
I have an 88 F-150 with one of those Mazda M5-2OD trannies and It is junk that breaks easy when used hard. . . .
So the Bottom Line here, as always, is We get what we pay for & Quality costs BIG MONEY.
FBp
The only viable alternative is a substantial A/T. I run a Pro Built C-5 from a 351M/400 powered 79 F-150, behind a 460 in my 66 & it doesn't break or give me any grief, also C-6s do the same.
I have an 88 F-150 with one of those Mazda M5-2OD trannies and It is junk that breaks easy when used hard. . . .
So the Bottom Line here, as always, is We get what we pay for & Quality costs BIG MONEY.
FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Dec 4, 2006 at 10:20 AM.
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The neighbors brother who worked in a Ford garage in Port Orchard WA, installed the engine in '74. It's definitely a CJ block, but the heads are coded from a 390-406 tri-power engine from '61 or 62. This used to be the fastest ugly truck in Bremerton.
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From: Colville, Washington
hydronut, This site has casting, tag numbers and identification information, just click here---->>Top Loaders
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That's exactly the information I've been searching for. Thanks a million!! When you're swimming through a pile of transmissions in Montana this time of year, you want to know what you're looking for.
Thanks again folks, if any of you are in the Seattle area, check out this museum.
http://www.thunderboats.org/
Thanks again folks, if any of you are in the Seattle area, check out this museum.
http://www.thunderboats.org/
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Check out the shifter length that you'd prefer. There are not a lot to choose from. The car ones were for seats that were closer to the floor. The trucks require longer ones because the driver sat up higher. I have a 390 with a T-18 that is really cool. I wish it were a T-19 which is the same but fully synchro. I'll find one eventually.
Good luck though, the big block top loaders are getting scarce and pricey. The problem also is that they got abused a lot and if it is outwardly broken--like broken case bolt ears, the innards will also have problems. Sometimes it has to be torn down to diagnose the problem too. Don't be afraid to walk away from a bad one. They are very pricey to rebuild properly.
Good luck though, the big block top loaders are getting scarce and pricey. The problem also is that they got abused a lot and if it is outwardly broken--like broken case bolt ears, the innards will also have problems. Sometimes it has to be torn down to diagnose the problem too. Don't be afraid to walk away from a bad one. They are very pricey to rebuild properly.
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