Toploader 390 bell housing
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Toploader 390 bell housing
Hello, Can anyone tell me if the stock 390 bellhousing from a truck will work when I install my Toploader 3+1 overdrive trans? The trans I have is the cast iron RUG-CL out of a 78 van with a nice floor shifter up front on the tail shaft housing. I am guessing if you know if it will work you'll also know how well too. I am hoping this is a good swap, I don't plan on alot of hot rodding but I would like it to stand up to the occasional burn out/ speed shift. You know it's gotta be fun sometimes!!! Thanks in advance Brandon
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Hello, Can anyone tell me if the stock 390 bellhousing from a truck will work when I install my Toploader 3+1 overdrive trans? The trans I have is the cast iron RUG-CL out of a 78 van with a nice floor shifter up front on the tail shaft housing. I am guessing if you know if it will work you'll also know how well too. I am hoping this is a good swap, I don't plan on alot of hot rodding but I would like it to stand up to the occasional burn out/ speed shift. You know it's gotta be fun sometimes!!! Thanks in advance Brandon
You better put a huge magnet on the rear end to catch the parts that fall off, cuz this trans is a weak sister.
A couple of speed shifts will implode the trans.
This trans was originally installed in 6 banger 1977 Granada's.
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I agree with Bill, that tranny is a real pos. I don't know if anyone ever tried to beef it up or not. Overdrive is very appealing when fuel prices are high, and there was only one manual OD 3spd available for the FE. Another poster suggests a Clark tranny but I have no experience with it.
John
John
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Well I have read both that they are OK and then that they suck? I was hoping someone really had the skinny on the whole install and using one thing, and that it was good. I am getting that the two of you are both saying I should stick with the C6, it has a shift kit and an 11" converter and does run good. The appeal of overdrive does get one thinking... but I do like the auto. Thanks for you suggestions! Brandon
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Well I have read both that they are OK and then that they suck? I was hoping someone really had the skinny on the whole install and using one thing, and that it was good. I am getting that the two of you are both saying I should stick with the C6, it has a shift kit and an 11" converter and does run good. The appeal of overdrive does get one thinking... but I do like the auto. Thanks for you suggestions! Brandon
It's a weak sister originally installed in 200 cid 6 cylinder Granadas and Fairmonts. Later used in 300 & 302 F100/150's and Econolines.
You want to install this trans behind a 390?
Lotsa luck.What better gas mileage will you attain? Mebbe 1 or 2 MPG better...on the highway.
Think of all the gas you can buy with all the $$$ you'll save by not using this POS.
When these trucks were designed, one gallon of regular gas was 23 cents, and these trucks are shaped like bricks.
You can spend one grand or 5 grand, you won't increase your gas mileage enough to justify the cost.
After one or two speed shifts, the trans will self distruct, so most of the internals will need replacing..mebbe the case.
And considering what I did for 35 years...I'm not just Whistling Dixie when I pass this info along.
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Well I was hoping to get about 50 HP back from that power sucking C6 and a lower cruising RPM. But you are right, if the RUG-CL won't take it, then whats the point. As you have wisey said the cost doesn't justify the minute gains. I'll stick with the 6... Thanks again for sharing!
Brandon
Brandon
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
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I have a question on this thread, he says "power sucking C 6". I don't know much about automatics transmissions. I do know long before AOD's there were lock up torqe converters and we always considered the lock up mode as an extra gear, virtually making the trans the same as a standard. With the slippage gone your RPM's would be less and possibly get better fuel mileage. Has there ever been a post on putting a lock up converter into a slick era C6. Would it be to costly? Would it be a waste of time and $ for the benefit? Just wondering, any comments?
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I have a question on this thread, he says "power sucking C 6". I don't know much about automatics transmissions. I do know long before AOD's there were lock up torqe converters and we always considered the lock up mode as an extra gear, virtually making the trans the same as a standard. With the slippage gone your RPM's would be less and possibly get better fuel mileage. Has there ever been a post on putting a lock up converter into a slick era C6. Would it be to costly? Would it be a waste of time and $ for the benefit? Just wondering, any comments?
Latest cars with lockup torque converters: Chryslers with Ultradrive.
Chrysler used the design of Packards Ultramatic when they designed their system.
Chrysler used the design but either didn't know or care that Packards trans was so bad when installed behind a V8 (1955/56), it helped kill the company!
Packard collectors call Ultramatic: ULCERmatic!
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Here's a link to Wiki on torque converters,
Torque converter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But Bill is right that no builds them for FE's.
Torque converter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But Bill is right that no builds them for FE's.
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I dont mean to burst your bubble here but that transmission you are asking about isn't a toploader. Check out this link for more information. Toploader Imposters
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