i am not an expert but i believe a top loader is one where the gears are installed from the top cover plate----a shifter coming out the top is not what top loader means--- i got corrected when looking at a ford 390 with a 4 speed---the shifter lugs came out the side of the case just like a 833----but it had that big plate on top for installing the gears----but then maybe i am easily corrected....bob