Ford Top Loader input Shaft Length Modification

31blackcoupe

31blackcoupe

Senior Member
I am still struggling with this conversion of a Tremec T170 RTS Top Loader 3 speed w/overdrive circa late 70's-mid 80's. 4th gear is the overdrive. I am attempting to put it in my AV8 project, a 59ab V8 flathead. The trans had previously been greatly modified to fit a 4 banger model A. The input shaft was lengthened and the bearing carrier modified as well.
I have the correct adapter to mount the trans on the engine. I have the correct new input shaft (a 16P) and bearing carrier. The input shaft is still a bit too long and bottoms out in the bearing carrier. I have been told by a reliable source it needs to be shortened, the splines need to be shortened and the bearing carrier needs to be shortened as well. This same reliabel source is too busy to do it and won't tell me the amounts to be modified so I could have it done locally. I am needless to say a bit desperate.
DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW? or where I can have it done besides California?
Many thanks (JSeery-I'm measuring the way you suggested, just not 100% positive w/my accuracy, and the trans is one place and the motor is here, but thanks as always)
 
Art
Before you do ANYTHING more, you need to get the engine & transmission in one place to do any accurate measuring.
Then you have to contact someone like David Kee or Dan Williams or another knowledgable person re: the input shaft lengths.
Your transmission MAY be the same dimensionally as a regular 4 speed, but I'm not sure.
I do know that there were at least 2 input shaft lengths, depending on which engine the transmission was attached to (on a normal 4 speed, a shorter length input shaft was used on a car that had a 390 or 427/8, and a longer one was used on those cars with the small block engine).
Verify everything before you cut or modify the stuff you have
Jim
 
Last edited:
Kahuna said:
Art
Before you do ANYTHING more, you need to get the engine & transmission in one place to do any accurate measuring.
Then you have to contact someone like David Kee or Dan Williams or another knowledgable person re: the input shaft lengths.
Your transmission MAY be the same dimensionally as a regular 4 speed, but I'm not sure.
I do know that there were at least 2 input shaft lengths, depending on which engine the transmission was attached to (on a normal 4 speed, a shorter length input shaft was used on a car that had a 390 or 427/8, and a longer one was used on those cars with the small block engine).
Verify everything before you cut or modify the stuff you have
Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim,
You're absolutely right. Plan on hauling the motor over to the trans shop for most accurate measurement. Just talked to Gene in Ohio (only 32) and he's saying only the tip of the input shaft needs a trim 1/4-3/8. When I measured it I cam up with the same thing. California guy uses a different adapter and it must be not as deep as the one I have.
Thanks my friend
Art
 
I'm also using one of Gene's bell housings. It is really a work of art and works really well.
To the casual observer, it appears stock
 
Kahuna said:
I'm also using one of Gene's bell housings. It is really a work of art and works really well.
To the casual observer, it appears stock
Click to expand...

Can't tell you how much I appreciate your feed back, Jim.
I think we got it solved. Like I said talked to Gene today and he said very minor modification just to the tip of the input where it bottoms out in the pilot bearing. He said "just grind it off and bevel it a little"! Also gave me great advice on how to fit the sleeve on the retainer (oil impregnated copper he supplied) "put the sleeve in the fridge and it will go into the throwout bearing carrier much easier". Gotta love it.
Thanks man,
art
 
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