I found it on craigslist. The ad says it is a 4 speed top loader from a 1966 7L galaxie. Will this work with my 73 460 in a 49 F1? Please tell me something quick.

Is it worth $700? They claim they have never used it but it shifts fine on a table.

 

It should bolt up. Thats said there are about 150 models of what are considered 3 & 4 speed "Top Loaders".
There is considerable differences in strength between the models, from some that backed the Powerhouse 144cu in 6 to the weakneed 428 CobraJet.

 

Dick, didn't the Brutal 144 use the smaller Saginaw unit - Not the Top-Loader ?

 

If there was a 4 gear behind a 144 it was probably a Dagenham built in England. The site says 170 and 200 only, so a 144 would have been a 3 speed, quite possibly a Saginaw....

http://www.billwrigley.com/v_14.html

Back to your toploader 4 speed: There are ID charts here. $700 is reasonable. Is there any guarantee that the synchros are good and it won't pop out of gear?

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

That might be a close ratio box, you may like it or hate it. 1st is 2.32 :1, a bit tall unless you have 4.11s out back.

 

Hey 4tl8. Can you give me an idea of what I should look for?

BTW, I checked out your website. I especially enjoyed the rant and rave portion. We share alot of the same opinions.


And thanks to the rest of you for your .02. I think I will try to contact the seller and find out more. Anybody else got anything to add?

 

IIRC, toploaders behind the 428CJ had the bigger input shaft. All the others are smaller. IMO, I'd be leary of a toploader behind a 460. especially if ya get on it....might be paying for replacement parts. I have a couple 3.03 3 speeds, and an SROD all aluminum 4 speed, and I had planned on using one of them in my '48. Til I found out how much torque they're good to. Then I decided to sacrifice size and weight for strength with a T18. I anticipate 400 or more ft lbs from my 400 cid.

 

There are tough Ford Toploaders in both 3 & 4 Speed Castiron cases
they can be identified here: http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/

There are also Ford top Loaders that are less than really strong say medium duty They are T150 3 Speed and the T176/177/178 4 Speeds Used in Jeeps some For Trucks and cars Aluminimum case the 177/178 have extrlong input shafts. http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/...nny_guide.html

Then there are the alsoran4 gear toploaders the SROD the TOD and the OMY-GOD Used in light trucks and Ford cars with funny names.