ClassicCar

I'm restoring a 1973 Comet and one of the things I'd like to do is swap out the automatic transmission for a manual. I've looked a little bit in to it to discover I can get a brand new one for a little over $2000. But, I'm not thrilled about dropping that much on a transmission.

Does anyone know where to look for a used/rebuilt transmission for this year? I think I need a toploader and I see where they had 24" with 26 splines for this model, but I don't know much beyond that. I'm not overly concerned with the right mounts and brackets or the clutch hardware, etc. because I'm sure I can find those items either off junkers or new. But the right transmission is essential to having a starting point for all this.

Does anyone know where to start looking for one? If possible, does anyone know what model number the 4-speed versions of these transmissions are?