Stock & Super Stock 4-speeds

[Jim Caughlin]

As long as we are on the subject of obscure racing transmission history. The whole face plate and clutchless technology (which was a huge improvement over the old dog teeth that were constantly wearing out and burring over) was first being experimented on in the 70's in what was called the Phalanx Coupler. I don't recall the name of the guy that designed and built this but he retrofitted a Toploader to a clutchless design with an early faceplate design. The parts were too small and weak to survive for an extended period but the concept is what we are still using today. Actually, I think there were motorcycle transmissions that had the design earlier than this but the Phalanx unit was the earliest version that I know of that integrated it into a full blown automotive race transmission. Does anyone have any further history on this?

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[Mark Ugrich]

Jim, At one time I actually had an order form/tech sheet from them.I rememember they recommened using a Thunderbird driveshaft because it had a rubber dampner in it to reduce driveline shock.

[Run to Rund]

I remember that there was a magazine article on the Phalanx conversion for the top loader back in the 1970s, probably in SS&DI.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

I remember that there was a magazine article on the Phalanx conversion for the top loader back in the 1970s, probably in SS&DI.

I had the magazine as well, I bielieve they were called "Phalenx Star Couplers", or something like that. Based upon a motorcycle design. Certainly a big improvement over the old style "crash box" or "Pro Shift" versions, and much, much less maintanance required.