Thread: Ford 3spd vs 4spd bolt pattern

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Hello - I've gotten a 55 Ford 2dr that what I believe is a '61 352 v8 FE with what looks like a top loader 3spd? Did they ever make such a thing? It looks just like the top loader 4spd that came out of my buddies 66 stang except it has 2 shift levers instead of 3. I am hoping I can use the 4spd in my application and am hoping the bolt pattern on the bellhousing matches. Can anyone help me id the trans and help me determine if the 4spd will bolt up in place of the 3spd? I plan on pulling the motor/trans sometime during the month of june.

Thanks,
Chris

Ford toploaders had three bolt patterns that I am aware of. The first ones (64 to ?) had the same bolt pattern as the 63's and down. Then Ford went to a dual top (4 top holes). One set of holes were the same as the earlier versions while the second set of holes had a wider pattern. The bottom holes were the same as the earlier ones. The third configuration had just the wide pattern on top. However, there is enough "meat" to drill the trans case for the smaller pattern, which a lot of guys did. The bottom holes were the same as earlier ones.

There were two basic "sizes", the regular version which was used for 289's to 390's, and a superduty for the 427's and bigger. The cases are the same as far as I know, but the superduty had a bigger input shaft and a different spline output shaft.

Along with the bolt patterns, there were a variety of tailhousings which were made for a specific car. Long ones and short ones, different shifter mounts. I am not sure if the trans mounts were the same.

As far as bolt up, I am sure most any 4 speed will bolt up in place of your three speed. Some mods may be required depending on which bolt pattern you get. You may have to change the clutch disc if the input shaft has a a different spline.

For more info, see www.davidkeetoploaders.com. Also do a Google search (toploaders) as there are three or four other guys that deal specifically in Ford toploaders.

my 66 had a 3 spd and it looks like a top loader style just like you said. i think the trannys are interchangeable from 3 spd to 4 spd . the only think i dont know about is if the input spine is different. you wont know that till you get the one out and set them beside each other.