FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: c9zx on April 09, 2025, 03:36:50 PM
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A friend, who does vintage road racing, has told me that current replacement parts for top loaders are not holding up very well. To the point he is buying up used top loaders to get parts. Has anyone experienced this problem (i need to rebuild a top loader)? Thanks, Chuck
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I’m guessing we can assume a road racer is buying quality toploader parts, like from David Kee, and not inferior parts. Like everything nowadays there are cheaper knockoffs.
Thanks for sharing.
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I have not used any parts bought in the last year but I build my own toploaders for my vintage road race car. I have bought gears from most all suppliers and they all come in the same box!!! If you can find Ford gears where the dog teeth on 2nd and 3rd aren't used up that is the way to go. The same if you have Ford synchro sliders that aren't used up. Generally 1st and 4th are in good shape. I have been running the same toploader, in my roadrace car, for two years now with no trouble (offshore parts). However, I consider 2nd, 3rd, brass synchro rings, synchro sliders and cluster gear shaft as consumables!!
As far as a street driven toploader I abuse my road race transmission more in one weekend of racing than I have the toploaders in two Mustangs that I have owned more than 50 years!
Certainly original Ford parts are the best way to go in my opinion. If you can find gears where the dog teeth aren't buggered too bad you can dress them with a stone and with a good slider it will shift like a new one.
Who knows how many different manufacturers supply offshore toploader parts.
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My thanks to all who replied. I have been trying to contact David Lee without success. I'll try Dan Williams. Any other sources you guys know of? Thanks, Chuck
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Based on the statement above don’t bother waiting on his response and buy the cheaper stuff on eBay.
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It looks like Allstate gear sells to the rebuilders. Has anyone dealt with them/used their products? Thanks, Chuck
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I like Dan Williams myself, I’m not sure but maybe 20 to 25 attempts I gave up on Kees , DW answered the phone first try
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I have purchased from Allstate. If they have what I am looking for, I buy there. For what I do I prefer the SKF max duty input and output bearings. The standard duty SKF input and output bearings are good bearings. DK use to offer his own shifter forks but not sure he does anymore. There are blocker rings that are better than others but the ones I have used from Allstate have been fine. I have bought from Dan also.
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Thanks everyone. It is good to know Dan is still around and that Allstate parts are good as well. Other project shave taken precedence for now.
Thanks, Chuck
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If anyone has good used Ford toploader parts, Dan has them!