Hello, I intend to use my fully reconditioned 4 speed toploader gearbox behind my 557ci , I was out the other day at a mechanic 's shop when I mentioned it to him, the mechanic went on to state that he thinks the Toploader gearbox wont be able to handle the torque of the 557ci engine ! and it will end up blowing up....is this true ??? Thanks Jamie. ( I did tell him that I had the Toploader rebuild- but he still insists it will destroy itself )

 

from what ive read hes right... there really isnt a good manual transmission option for a 557... it just puts out too much torque. the toploader will work for awhile if you dont powershift, but it will still wear out pretty quick. your best bet is the c-6 auto- anything less is just too short-lived

 

I used to run small block Toploaders behind a 427 stroker (454) and they held up fine. I don't see why a bigblock Toploader wouldn't hold behind a 557. And I realize that all depends on the actual application as well. Put sticky tires, posi traction and sticky clutches, then dump said clutch at 6 grand, you'll have trouble holding ANY transmission together. I certainly wouldn't be afraid to run a big in/out Toploader behind a 557 on the street.

 

ive blown top loaders with a 300-6. big in big out top loaders will hold up a lil better but behind a big inch motor i doubt they will hold up.bet a richmond 5-6 speed would tho.

 

If you're talking about the late 70's to 80's Toploaders Ford put behind the 300-6, I don't doubt it. Those aren't in the same class although they were based on the older ones.

 

Thanks Guys, As I do not plan to Rev it to 5 or 6'000 RPM then release the clutch hopefully it will last a while, if it happens to destroy itself I will then replace it with a C6 automatic gearbox. I will run a very thick gear oil ( maybe even straight Lucas ) as thats what the gearbox shop recomended when he rebuilt the Toploader.

 

Im using a a 435np and its behind a 557 now for yrs.is that a top loader or no?i have no problem with it .

 

This guy is in 'em up to his elbows. I think a proper one will work behind your motor. Check out the toploader/GV combo. 8 speeds, no waiting....

http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/to...rpricelist.htm

 

It is a Toploader type gear box, just not THE Toploader we're talking about. The 435 was a truck transmission, the Toploader was a high performance car transmission. Main difference is the gear ratios and construction.

 

Hello 85e150six4mtod, that is a pretty good web-site, as I am in Australia i think my rebuilt Toploader came out from behind a high performance 351ci from a late 1960's or early 70's Ford, as i had to purchase a 429-460 bellhousing , is there any way of telling what i have by the numbers on the Toploader gearbox ?

 

maybe pm numberdummy, hed probably be able to tell you what youve got.

 

i was talkin about a toploader from a 65-70 style mustang. i seen them go for up to 1300 bucks today at the swap meet,theres no way i would put them threw that torture when i could sell it so some one that thinks there the best thing since time began and biuld a c-6 or get a richmond for a couple hundred more.as far as in concerd top loaders arnt worth the money

 

Here's what you want in Id'ing a Toploader www.4speedtoploaders.com This guy has everything you'd need for any Toploader. He even is building completely new ones from the ground up. New cases and tailshaft housings. His site has a completel Id chart to look up the tag numbers. The Id tag is on the passenger side of the main case just behind the belll housing.

 

The problem is you're shopping in the wrong places. Anything at a swap meet is priced at least 25% above what you can find elsewhere. The Toploader I have in my 89 Ranger cost me all of $150 on ebay. The seller mis-listed it as an SROD. And then didn't post pics and had a "buy-it-now" option. I got the transmission (been rebuilt once in 40 years) an SROD bell and the hurst comp plus shifter for $150. Sold the SROD bell for the $80 the shipping cost me. Been running it for 4 years+ in the Ranger now.

 

Kees has id charts also:

http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/idchart1.htm

Look on the left side for site index.

Good luck.