T18 Swap Throwout Or Ball Stud Modify

My T18 swap started this weekend. Have the correct pre-70 bell on there and the throwout bearing is jammed up against the new clutch pressure plate fingers. I know the end of the throwout arm needs to be 5-6 degrees forward for mechanical advantage but the way it is now the arm is all the way forward in the hole. I would like to move the throwout bearing back. I am reusing the arm that was on the Jeep when I took it apart this weekend (it was finger clutch that came out and not a borg-beck). The ball stud is what came on the bell. The throwout for now is just the old one that came out too. So my thoughts are to keep the arm I have and instead use a thinner throwout bearing or get an adjustable ball stud. What would you do? Or would you do both? I see there is a lakewood adjustable ball and some threads mention using the OEM buick car throwout. I'm not opposed to using both the new ball and bearing...or if there is a preferred arm to use...but my search did not bring up any arm part numbers. For the ball stud I have Lakewood 15501 and for the Buick car bearing I show National 614018. Should I just grab those to begin?

 

Do some research at Novak Conversions Home I did the Ford T18 conversion many years ago. I used the stock clutch fork and an adjustable ball. That said, there is more than 1 clutch fork available. My rig is a '66 with the Dauntless. The actual throwout bearing available is standard, but the collar that it is pressed onto comes in varying lengths.

 

I suggest you measure the OAL of your presently installed release bearing and find one with a shorter length release bearing carrier to fit.
I have several different lengths of them and may have a correct one for yours if you can identify the bearing you currently have.

 

Novak....................makes an adjustable collar for a throwout bearing..........make it the length you want put the pin in it a go.........Novak Fully Adjustable Throwout Bearings

 

Thanks folks.

Carquest had National 614018 in stock so I just got it and that should do a lot (and it was made in USA ). The National 614018 is shorter than the stock bearing. I also have the adjustable ball enroute. I'm not positive but I do believe if I couple the National 614018 with an adjustable ball stud that I should be in the zone.

Next thing I noticed is that my release fork didn't have a spring on it. Shouldn't there be a release spring and bracket on the bell or something?

 

Goes from the tip of the fork .....forward to the bell housing...just to take the slack out.

 

I see partsdude has the spring - is there a bracket as well or is there a hole on the bell for the other end? Any idea what the part number is or if there are other sources for the spring?

 

Find a hole , make a bracket , a heavy throttle return spring will do...

 

Thanks for posting the part numbers and such while working this out. Let us know how it all works. If I ever get around to installing my T18, this info will be handy.