The "dual pattern" bellhousings wre made for the "Dearborn" 3-speed manual. The '65s were spitting Saginaw 3-speeds out in no time in GTOs, so Pontiac went across town to Ford for their "better" 3-speed. It was a "top loader" in the literal sense. I don't believe there were any of the top loader 4-speeds installed in GTOs.
While we always consider the top loader an excellent transmission, whether or not it's "better" than a Muncie can spark a massive debate. Myth and superstition not withstanding, none of the top loaders were ever put behind a 500 lb.ft. engine unless they were the "big" one (1 1/4" input shaft vs. 1 1/16"). Many a Muncie died a horrible death because of all the torque they had to endure. Apples-to-donuts comparison. Top loader IS a good transmission. So is Muncie.
Another common complaint among Ford guys, was how much "nicer" the Muncie would shift, compared to their TL. In a couple of Mustangs and at least one Torino, we put a diaphragm clutch in place of the "Long Style" pressure plate, and the shifts cleaned right up. It was the clutch, NOT the synchros, as many believed. Those old Ford clutches left much to be desired. Somewhere in the mid '70s, Ford began using diaphragms.
FWIW
Jim
|