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Hot Rods 3.03 top loader identification

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Kato Kings, Mar 16, 2019.

  1. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Can anyone help with anything on this trans? What it came out of? Ratio? I don't have it in front of me. Just these 4 pictures. Thanks. 8332-600x800.jpg 8334-800x600.jpg 8330-800x600.jpg 8328-600x800.jpg
     
  2. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Bump for the evening crowd.
     
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  3. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    I think there are two ratios in this transmission series. Put the transmission in reverse if it’s close to 3 to 1 it’s the lower speed in first and second gear. If it closer to two to one it’s the higher speed transmission. They came in a variety of cars and trucks. It does not have the fixed out put so that eliminates some trucks but not all. Best I can do for you.






    Bones
     
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  4. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Bump for the morning crowd.
     

  5. 65 ford fully syncrinised 3 speed , used for a number of years , as your tailstick indicates c8ar ,thus was out a 1868 vehicle .Chevrolet also used this transmission as they did not have a 3 speed strong enough for their pontiacs .I believe they only changed the input shaft to fit a gm clutch disk .try a ford disk out it and if it dont fit it is likely a gm shaft or vice versa
     
  6. jebbesen
    Joined: Aug 18, 2015
    Posts: 712

    jebbesen
    Member
    from Winona, MN

    That's a Dearborn I think. One of the Ford/Tremec 3 speeds that got put in the Pontiacs. They are basically a RAT code 3.03 with a different input and tailhousing. Should be GM style 1.125 diameter input and the tailhousing gives a mounting pad for the Hurst or Hurst style shifter.
     
  7. jebbesen
    Joined: Aug 18, 2015
    Posts: 712

    jebbesen
    Member
    from Winona, MN

    I think they're generally close ratio. Somewhere around 2.4 to 1 first. It's probably out of a full size Pontiac or Buick. I don't really think Chevy used them in that form. They did put some RAT 3 speeds in some pickups later on but they didn't have that tail. It's my understanding that they ran alongside the Muncie 4 speed but we're more of a base option. They were more heavy duty than the Sag 3 speeds.
     
  8. town sedan
    Joined: Aug 18, 2011
    Posts: 1,290

    town sedan
    Member

    In the second photo it looks like a tag is riveted to the passenger side near the front of the case. You want the numbers / letters off that tag to identify the transmission.
    -Dave
     
  9. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Confirmed it is the dearborn m13 RAT. Anyone can't live without it?????
     
  10. David Chandler
    Joined: Jan 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,101

    David Chandler
    Member

    I had a 64 Fairlane that had that type of trans, behind a 260. I had them in F100's too, and in an 80 Chevy C10. Personally I liked them. But most people think of top loader is limited to 4 speeds. But I wouldn't consider it as a make or break deal, if one was in the vehicle.
     
  11. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    The 3.03 that was behind I6's, small blocks and 352FE's had 2.99/1.72/1.00 gears and the 390FE and up had 2.42/1.60/1.00 gear ratios. I'm pretty sure the 2.42 box also had a bigger 1 3/8" input versus the smaller 1 1/16" input for small blocks.

    I know that Pontiac used the Dearborn 3.03 because the GM 3 speed couldn't handle the Ponco's power which makes me think they probably have the big input.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
  12. jebbesen
    Joined: Aug 18, 2015
    Posts: 712

    jebbesen
    Member
    from Winona, MN

    @tjm73. That's true concerning Ford applications but the Dearborn is kind of an anomaly. I believe they only came in one input which is a GM style 1.125. Those BOP cars often had bell housings that were drilled for the GM and "Ford" trans patters. As far as I know they were all close ratio. I have one just like he posted but with a more Ford looking long round cast tail. Only difference between my Ford and Dearborn tailhousings is the Ford has one mount pad and the Dearborn has two. The one he has is nicer since it takes less bracketry to put a Hurst on. There is also a slight difference in the syncro rings on the Dearborn. The tooth angle on the syncros is a wider V shape than the Ford ones which look more like the old 39 style syncros. I would imagine the open design would shift faster sort of like when guys grind off every other tooth.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
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  13. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    They very well could have a "GM" spec input.
     
  14. RoddyB34
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 543

    RoddyB34
    Member

    If anyone wants to install a Jeep top shift on the RAT case trans check the case length as they are 9 and 3 quarters long the RAN type cases are 9 and quarter long ,,
     
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  15. town sedan
    Joined: Aug 18, 2011
    Posts: 1,290

    town sedan
    Member

    You're selling Ford short. They had tranny ratios for every occasion, at least early on.
    The 3.03 I have from a '64 223 powered Galaxie has transmission gear ratios of 3.26 / 1.84 / 1.00:1
    -Dave
     
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  16. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Are there Jeep towers in BOTH lengths, or only the short 'RAN'?
     
  17. NewGuyOldFord
    Joined: Jan 17, 2011
    Posts: 596

    NewGuyOldFord
    Member

    It's out of a 68 or newer ford. The "C8" is 68 on the case.
     
  18. Looks like a '68-70 Mustang trans to me. Ford 10 spline input, shifter mount at the end of the tailshaft. Long pilot bearing shaft means it's for a small block, not an FE.
     
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  19. RoddyB34
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 543

    RoddyB34
    Member

    FE854743-CB6A-413F-B906-0DF27092ACDC.jpeg
    I believe only in the shorter length ,,Mine is the shorter RAN case and the Jeep T150 shifter bolted on ,,i found a few RAT case type were sold here in ford cars in Australia so was lucky not to have been caught out on this when looking for one,,,
     
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  20. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    I have some of both, but my RAT tranny is the one I'm using, for its new bearings, synchros, and the fact it's close ratio. If the Jeep tower(s) I have don't fit, I'll have to use the column shift linkage.
    (could be cooler...'54 Ford coupe, 406 FE, 3 'on the tree'...Sleeper Chevy Eaterrrr)
     
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  21. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

  22. Relic Stew
    Joined: Apr 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,208

    Relic Stew
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    It looks like it still has the tag on it. The code on that will tell you what you want to know.

    tag.jpg
     
  23. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    The tailshaft has a very interesting casting number, RF-C5FR...

    The "F" in C5FR indicates foreign or racing application, according to the various Ford part number decoding references.
     
  24. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    I've never seen those ratios in any research on the 3.03 transmission. I6 cars go the 277 3 speed. Mayeb that's what you have. They are "top loaders", but they are not the same top loaders. The 3.03 was only behind 240/300, SBF and FE's. Maybe behind 429's. Not sure.
     
  25. jebbesen
    Joined: Aug 18, 2015
    Posts: 712

    jebbesen
    Member
    from Winona, MN

    Dearborns only had the GM style 1.125 input.

    Not true. They were also used behind the last couple years Y-blocks in pickups. Even in F250 4x4s. I have two Y block trans that have the big 1.375 input close ratio gears. The y block input is unique and the whole shaft is about an inch longer. I'm not talking the pilot but the whole shaft. 1963 and 64 there were some weird setups as the newer drivetrains rolled out.
     
  26. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    The 3.03 was also used behind the small six in later years, but off topically.
     
  27. town sedan
    Joined: Aug 18, 2011
    Posts: 1,290

    town sedan
    Member

    My understanding is 1964 was the 1st year for the 3.03 transmission. 1964 was also the last year for the 223 six, which was way down on power (relatively speaking) compared to say the 1957 to 1960 223 six engine.

    The gear ratios I noted above came out of the '64 Ford full size car shop manual. My transmission is fully synchronized and came from a '64 Custom with a 223 that was getting a 351W swap. I'm not familiar with the 2.77, but wasn't it a Falcon/Mustang/little Fairlane transmission.

    My point was that Ford wasn't above making changes to any and everything if they felt the need. The original transmission in my '60 Fairlane with a 223 had a 1st gear ratio of 3.09:1, but more power than the '64 223 with it's silent lash valve train. So, why wouldn't Ford sweeten the gear ratios a little to help keep the consumers happy? I'll listen if I'm wrong.
    -Dave
     
  28. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    Didn't mean to say it was not possible. Ford was never above using what ever they had left over.

    That aside, the 3.03 and the Top Loader were introduced in 1963.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
  29. geardaddy
    Joined: Nov 24, 2014
    Posts: 2

    geardaddy
    Member

  30. geardaddy
    Joined: Nov 24, 2014
    Posts: 2

    geardaddy
    Member

    it had many names and uses, here "some" of the more common ones..(3.03--RAN--RAT)-ford cars and trucks mainly from 1965-82...gm trucks called it a (t160) 1976-81.....jeep (t150) cj,s from 1976-79...amc cars 74-79(t150)......dodge trucks from 75-80 and cars from 75-76 (a390).....since Tremec was a tier-one supplier, their transmissions were used in many makes and models...
     

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