I took out my toploader this w-e and opened up the lid at the top - oil is vey clean, no shavings, gears look really good

My question is as follows: should the gear forks move smoothly from one gear to another for both the 3/4 and 1/2 without turning the input shaft? or should I do this test while turning the input shaft? .. is this actually at test to do? ... it seemed like common sense to me .. and I am reaching a conclusion that seems to explain one of my issues ... but I'd like to hear some opinions prior to sharing my though ... and yes I know some will say get to a tranny shop, and I will but it is good to get those brain cells working

 

Its a toploader. They are indestructable. If its shifting fine and the gears and sycro-ing properly I would think you are alright.

 

+1, why do you think they have used 9 inchers and top loaders in Nascar for a long dang time, Roaches and Ford drivelines can survive nuclear blasts

 

+1
was itchanging ok before?
if yes, change the oil and throw it back in the car!

if not, tranny shop

how is your shifter? You can replace the spring mechanism while its out so it pops back in line with 3/4 when you put it in neutral.

 

Well as mentionned in another post - I had no issue with the 3rd and 4th gear but it was difficult for me to find the 2nd gear coming from either 1st or 2nd - basically now that the tranny is on the floor, I played manually and validated that my 3rd and 4th are fine as I can move back and forth very smoothly but my transition between 1st and 2nd is difficult ... so my conclusion is I do have an issue with my 1st/2nd gear set ... this post was to get a sanity check prior to going to the tranny shop ...

 

fair enough
Do you know a tranny shop that can do the work for a reasonable price?

 

Well I live around Atlanta and do not know any particular shop but I have talked to some guys at work and they have some contacts for me - I'll call them and see what they say, I 'll share the feedback ... likely later on this week as I am traveling for work until wednesday

 

if you can I would also speak to some guys at local stang club...always a useful source of info
IMO youwant someone who specialises in toploaders if you can find them. I got mine touched up with some new and some 2nd hand parts by such a guy. he just knew exactly what was needed just by listening to my description - hard into 2nd and would drop out of 3rd on coasting.

 

well there are several mustang clubs in towm - I will check with them - thanks