Please pardon my ignorance on this matter.  I haven't been able to find much in regards to putting a 4 speed toploader behind my 56 Merc 292 Y-block.  From what I've gathered, I would need a toplaoder with the 8 holes in the front.  What bellhousing?  289/302?  I have a friend who is pulling his toplaoder out of a 69 Camar drag car.  Clutches and all.  If this has the correct 8 bolt holes up front, I can get a bellhousing to match my engine, and machine it, then toss it in, right?  I've read about much of the machine work required to get this to work with my engine. 

I've searched in here and the HAMB...not having much luck.

Anybody have a good parts list?  I am also trying to figure out if I want firewall or floor mounted pedals, so I have that going for me, which is nice...

1932 FORD ROADSTER ('GLASS)
1956 MERCURY 292 Y-BLOCK
D/STR
NAVARRE, FL

ok - this is a long one. I put a toploader four speed in back of my 312 in my 54.



There are two 4 speed toploaders that I am aware. One is the common variety used behind 260's to 390's. The second is the heavy duty variety used by 427's and 428's. This has heavier input and output shafts, other inside difference may also be. Add to this I believe that there are close ratio and non-close ratio for both, but not sure about the heavy duty one.



Cases - there are three cases as far as I know.. The first, the very early ones, had the same bolt pattern as the yblock bellhousing. Falcon, for one- I have one of these in my 54. The second has a bolt pattern that has a wider bolt pattern at the top (bottom same as yblock). People tell me that you can drill the holes in the case to match the yblock as there is plenty of meat to do this. The third is the six bolt variety - has two sets of holes at the top - the aforementioned wide spacing and the yblock spacing. Bottom holes same as yblock.



The very early ones also had a 25 spline output shaft, later ones had 28. Both output shafts are identical except for the splines so you can put in the later 28 spline, which makes it easier to find a compatible yoke. I think the heavy duty ones had a 31 spline output shaft.



Tail pieces - a bunch of different tailpieces were used, they had different shifter mounting places. The one for a 64 Falcon had the shifter mounted right in back of the case which in most cases will not interfere with the seat (does not in my 54 after I found the correct Hurst stick. There may be other application for this particular tailpiece



Mods to use behind a YBlock (YBlock bellhousing). (1)The front bearing retainer (throw out bearing slider) is just a sconch too big for the hole in the Yblock bell. Trim in a lathe-this does not interfere with the bolts holding the retainer to the case. (2) The pilot of the input shaft is usually to long, about 3/8 of an inch-always measure this before cutting as there may be differences I may not be aware of. The splines on the input shaft are real close to the crank bearing, so check this fit also. This is for a car bellhousing. There may be differences when using a truck bellhousing



Google David Kee - he specializes in Ford toploaders and also reproduces certain parts, including the Falcon tailshaft mentioned above.



I think I got everything.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

ford tranny forum. 2 ads for toploader companys. hope this helps.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/260730/

Kenny  Onalaska, Texas

I’ll add that the FE big block four speeds have the correct input shaft length when used with the Y passenger car bellhousing.  The small block toploaders will require approximately 3/8” cut from the pilot end of the input shaft to get the length right for the Y car bellhousing.  The big block toploaders will have a 2.32:1 low gear (close ratio) while the small block toploaders will have a 2.78:1 low gear (wide ratio).  As Paul mentions, check the O.D. of the front bearing retainer against the bellhousing for the correct fit as it’s not unusual for it to be slightly larger than the bellhousing opening.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

awesome, thanks.  I could write a book with all the questions I hae about Y blocks...I won't ask a question unless I absolutely cannot find an answer via the SEARCH function.  You guys helped me out a lot.  Thanks again, JL

1932 FORD ROADSTER ('GLASS)
1956 MERCURY 292 Y-BLOCK
D/STR
NAVARRE, FL

Just noticed this post.  Look into David Kee toploaders and Toploader Heaven both good sites with lots of information.  As an FYI the  the pilot end of the front spline on the 390 version of the toploader was a little shorter than on the small block versions.  The 390 tranny was a bit of an odd duck.  You can't buy that gear anywhere unless its new old stock.  I never rebuilt a tranny in my life but with the kit and instructions from Toploader Heaven did so without a hitch.