toploader shifting

[6667fan]

Did you confirm the engine mount stability? You can tie that mother down with one of these. I believe it was originally engineered for 5.0 Mustangs but will work in our engine compartments with an FE.

Don’t give up on 3 pedals!

[HTM101]

are there anything you can do to improve high rpm shifting with a TL short of removing it or swapping for something different.when i wind up past 6000 my trans gets harder to shift.it makes me lose a lot of et with the slower shifts.trans is fresh,new shifter,clutch,flywheel.if i stay below 5500 its shifts great


I've experienced the same high rpm shift problem in the past.  I have a David Kee aluminum case Toploader.  5 years ago when replacing some internals of the TL, I spoke with David Kee and described my high rpm shifting issue.  One of his suggestions was to use 400 grit sandpaper and uniformly work the entire cone of the blocker rings.  He advised holding the sandpaper wrapped against the blocker ring, and rotate the blocker ring in one direction.  I did that and I feel it definitely helped.

I re-assembled the TL.  I ditched the McLeod twin disc clutch, and replaced it with a Ram long-style PP and single clutch disc.  The TL now shifts as well at 7,000 rpm as it does at 3,000 rpm.

[Phil Brown]

The sandpaper thing sounds like what we do with the VW transmissions only we put a small amount of valve lapping compound on the cone of the gear then turn the brass blocking ring by hand a few turns. Don't take much but sure improves the shifting

[oldiron.fe]

   starting in 1967 i shifted my 66/427 with gas on the floor-never lifted  - some must to do i used a chain from cyl head to body rail snug/not loose--remove z- bar and added reenforced round stock to all arms welded solid -everything!!  keep new tight bushings - made some steel bushings-long-style plate- with careful check of clearance - wood block on floor to be sure of clearance when pedal hits floor--had someone pull on feeler gauge between psi/plate&disk to be sure of enough release-chain over tailshaft to cross/member-polish trans rings check feel of rotation-shifted @ 6000+ all the time  crane cam /alum. flywheel jardine headers/2X4s   new bushings some steel under dash   hurst shifter with steel bushings tight fit on everything !!!---------------- if any rings/teeth are worn or not sharp -you may stress valve springs esp. 2to3 but what fun jamming the hurst!!!                                                                                                                                                             

[fryedaddy]

i was going to ask if the steel shifter linkage bushings would be better than the plastic ones that come with the shifter.i know the steel would be more durable,but would they work better at high rpm shifts?

[cammerfe]

USE STEEL BUSHINGS. A bit more noise but a much better shift.

KS

[fryedaddy]

i got out monday and tried out my shifting after adjusting the clutch arm and tightening the z-bar bolt and i was surprised.i didnt try power shifting but it was smooth at 6000,letting off just a little between changes.im going to order some steel shifter bushings and then i think it will be safe to try power shifts

[gdaddy01]

put a low chip in the msd box , just in case