T90 Long Input Shaft

I am running a long input shaft in my T90. I am also using a sealed bearing. The long T90 input shaft has an angled oil passage which moves oil from the pilot roller area to the front side of the stock open bearing. Because I am using a sealed bearing, I have no use for this passage and have to seal it. My question is how do I seal it? I want to seal it right so that no oil makes its way through this passage. can i braze it closed? soder it closed? use silicone? what do you all recommend?
See the 2 attached links to view the passageway I am refering to. by the way, the attached link shows a T98 input shaft, but the passageway is the same as a long T90 input shaft.

http://www.vernco.com/51wagon/id227.htm
http://www.vernco.com/51wagon/id228.htm

 

JB weld maybe..........?

 

Isn't there a seal in the bearing retainer?

 

Maybe Herm would have an idea????

 

As Glenn said, there is no seal in the retainer.

I talked to Herm about it when I ordered my rebuild kit. initially he was unsure as to what i asking, leading me to believe he may have never rebuilt a T90 with the long shaft and a sealed bearing. after some thought, he said use a bit of silicone. i don't know if i like that idea. if it works itself loose it could get into my tranny and mess things up. i also imagine it would break loose pretty easily.

 

Just an idea, take a tapered pin reamer and put a slight taper to the hole, outside to inside. Then using a brass pin drive it in tight lightly mushrooming the head. file smooth and make sure it does not protrude inside. Being wider on the outside it won't fall in. You could even tap it and screw a plug in (a really small one!). You just don't want something to work loose and slip in and ruin the bearings. Just thinking out loud.
Joe

 

I think I know what you are talking about. First, I would simply have used the stock bearing, but whatever! If silicone actually got loose, it would not hurt anything. You would pull the temper if you try heating it up to braze it. Not recomended. Epoxy? Might work... Tapping out a hole and threading in something? You would break the tap off as the shaft is probably hard steel. Manufacturing a small tapered plug is a decent idea. Stick it in there with some permatex #1, or maybe locktite. However! IF this sucker falls out.... There could be issues. With that in mind, I would simply clean the hole with brake cleaner, and fill it with black silicone. all the way thru.

My $0.02 worth...

 

Do you "have" to plug it. if it doesn't hurt anything to keep it open ( and I don't see how lubrication could) why not just leave it open? Just wondering thats all....

 

i am using a sealed bearing. the use of a sealed bearing is pointless if this passgaeway is not plugged AND the oil return hole at the bottom of the bearing retainer is not plugged. oil works its way through the passage in the long input shaft, and oils the outside of the stock open bearing, then the oil returns via a hole in the T90 on the bottom of the retainer.
read this article for clarification and reasons why to use a sealed bearing. this article outlines the use of a sealed bearing on a T98/T18, but the FRONT sealed bearing issue applies to a T90 also.
http://www.vernco.com/51wagon/id179.htm