Toploader Tricks

My son decided he wants to run a toploader behind his Cleveland. So I think there is a roller bearing available for the pilot bushing. Numbers?
I have a toploader out of a 1970 351 C Torino. I ran this transmission years ago but it was a bear to speed shift. Does anyone have any tricks to use on this to get it to shift easier? I heard of filing off every other tooth but will that make it impossible to drive on the street? I will need to look up the ratio for this transmission but if I remember, it is a wide ratio unit. The Cleveland is a 600HP unit installed in a 1970 Maverick.. Any links to read to school myself would be appreciated..

Thanks for your help fellas..

Very likely the shifting problems were not the transmission. Need a Hurst shifter and replace the clutch arm that bolts to the block with a custom built clutch arm that does not flex. With a heavy duty pressure plate the stock clutch linkage flexes and will cause you to miss gears. We took the one off my brothers car to a machine shop and had them copy it but added reinforcements and built it out of 1/2” aluminum bar. No more missed shifts after that.

Picked up a Super Shifter for it... I will work over the clutch rod when we get that far. Heim joint instead of the rod with a hole and cotter pin. We have regular motor mounts so I am sure there is some flex in there. Maybe I should put solid mounts in the car and eliminate that.
Its going to be a street strip deal..

Thanks

Dan Williams top loader in North Carolina used to be the go to guy for anything to do with a top loader. Couldn’t find a website for him they must’ve went out of business. Good luck.

The equalizer bar I think is the proper name for the clutch arm we had fabricated.

david Kee toploaders sells any parts you might need.

dkp

2x on Kee

I will give him a call next week.. I have been watching the South East Gasser videos and its getting a fire started under my ass to get this done. They seem like a bunch of good guys and run sticks in their cars..

Use the needle bearing pilot bearing for a '90-2005 Mustang 5.0 . Epay has them for cheap. All made by the same place regardless of name on the package.

For what its worth ditch the mechanical clutch linkage and go hydraulic I had very good success using Mcleod clutches hydraulic system with my Maverick back when it had a Cleveland with a top loader in it , was a lot of fun too banging gears .