Has anyone else found a way to use a Ford 4-speed toploader in a Y-block WITHOUT spending $700 bucks on the QuickTime bellhousing? Thanks! -'54 Monterey Coupe build Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yes. Get a factory y-block manual trans bell housing. Machine the OD of the toploader throwout bearing flange to the size of the y-block hole. Drill two mounting holes of the toploader to match the y-block bell, and you're set. I think I used the larger 302 type disk & pressure plate (10.5" ?), but I bet a factory y-block (10" ?) would still be fine.
As has already been stated,I did this probably 55 years ago and the memory is some what cloudy but I don't remember having to relieve the bell housing but I may have done some type of grinding the bellhousing,I do remember drilling two new holes. HRP
Here's a pic of the back side of a Y-block bellhousing - just took this today infact. This is the business end of the 292 in my '62 F100. It has a 3-speed that goes in that hole. Edit: I guess they made a couple different style bellhousings for the y-block - this one is for the truck 3-speed, the big heavy 3-speed. Here's a different one that was also in a truck, but with a truck 4-speed:
I put a Toploader behind my 312 back in the late 60's ( when I was still in HS.) using factory bell. I did not do any machining ,
This is what to do for the '65-up versions; if you can find a first-year '64 model, it will bolt up. There is one thing to check with both types; the small-block input shafts have a bit longer pilot bearing shaft on the input, this may need shortening by about 1/4" to avoid bottoming out in the crank. Note that this works with any car bellhousing and truck bells that used car-type trannys (standard 3 speed or OD). The truck-only bell/tranny combos will take more work.
Scored a Y-Block manual bellhousing off eBay. Even has the fork and boot , just under $75. Keep ya posted. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Just found me a top loader this week. Super stoked and I had a buddy toss in a truck bell housing for our Y-Block Canned Monster motor. May have to take a little off the input shaft, don't want it pushing on the crank but other than that its a bolt in deal. I just need to clean it up and paint it. It came with an old competition plus shifter and linkage that need soaking and oiling but I'm hopeful it will work well. Gears inside look very nice, not chips breaks or major wear at all.
Truck bellhousings are often the way to go. We used to dig through them at the 'yard until we found one that mated up to everything. Anything 1955 and up is worth a look. Bob
FYI for anyone not who may not be particularly knowledgeable looking to buy a used manual transmission. The main gear teeth in a synchronized transmission rarely have issues. What you need to look at are the dog teeth that engage the shift collar. They get worn down over time, especially by speed shifting with worn synchros. Rounded off dog teeth will give troublesome shifting, and let it pop out of gear. The gears and shift collars will then need replacement. New gears.
Ahh, thanks for the additional info Relic Stew. I didn't know that but I will check it out closer now on mine.
I used a 56 car bellhousing a 68 sb toploader a truck flywheel with the truck 11" Long pressure plate. And a 11"clutchdisc that fit the toploader. only machining was to cut 1/4 inch of the input shaft Late toploaders have both the early and late bolt patern
I have a 3 speed Saginaw from a '67 C10, with the R10 overdrive. I would like to put it behind the 272 in my '56 F100. I know Quicktime has a bell with the Chevy/Muncie style bolt pattern, but my bell has the ears on it. Does anyone know if the HD trans bell, the lower one pictured above, can be modified to accept this trans?
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