[Fot] Top hats

[Jack W. Drews]

Thanks for the responses to the question on the top hat bushing.

I asked the question because of the latest rebuild of my 
transmission, with the usual struggle with the main shaft assembly 
and setting the end float on the bushings and gears. I've thought 
about this every time I've rebuilt a box. I don't understand what is 
happening in the gearbox that caused the designers to use this design 
bushing. There must be some reason.

Several guys responded with the same thought that I had in mind, 
which is, why not make this assembly from a washer and bushings 
instead of using the top hat design? Spits don't have top hat 
bushings, and neither do a host of other cars.

Too bad it would be such a time and effort consuming exercise to 
prove out in real life. I guess converting to one of the current 
production five speed boxes might have a better cost - benefit ratio.

uncle jack