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72'-75' T18

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by 458soco, Aug 30, 2019.

  1. Aug 30, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    So I sold one of these a while back and I might be getting it back. This actually might be perfect for my cj6 build. I really don't do any rock crawling just trail riding so I think the higher first gear might be great for what I want to use it for. But I want to keep the Buick v6. Is this a possible swap? I will be running a centered 44 so probably can use a dana 20 tcase. Just dont know if theres an adapter to bolt it up to the buick or which input shaft I would need.
     
  2. Aug 30, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    No way to do a junkyard swap of this to a GM engine, AFAIK. Did you look for an adapter? Novak makes an adapter: Adapting the Chevrolet & GM Standard Shift Bellhousings to the Jeep CJ & FSJ Borg-Warner T14, T15 & T18 Transmissions Lots of good info on the Novak site, if you follow the links.

    You could also scavenge parts from it and use the main shaft and TC adapter to convert a Ford T-18 to the V6. Have not done this, but Nickmil says you can combine these parts with minor machining (drilling, tapping, plugging).
     
  3. Aug 30, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Last edited: Aug 30, 2019
  4. Aug 30, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    You are reading the page wrong. "GM standard shift bell housing" includes the 225 V6. They are ruling out the T-14 used with the V6 in CJs and Commandos. The input shaft for those T-14s is the wrong length for this adapter. (And anyway, buying this kit for that transmission would be a dumb idea because that T-14 is already adapted to GM bells.) The T-14 used with the 232/258 will work with this kit, as will the T-15 and close ratio T-18 you are asking about - they all use the same bell housing.

    If you have doubts, call them. Worth it over the AA part which is nearly twice the cost.

    I'm sure they require you keep the original plate adapter that went between the AMC bell housing and the T-18.

    Note that the one-piece standard shift bell used with a 1971 T-14 is unique, and won't work with anything else. Prior years ('66-70) used a Buick bell (a "GM standard shift bell housing") and an adapter but not '71. A Buick bell is something else you'll have to supply.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2019
  5. Aug 30, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    Oh ok I see now. I'll have to look at my bell this evening.
     
  6. Aug 31, 2019
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    There are a couple ways to go but adapting the case to the V-6 (lots of info here on this) and use a Ford 4-1 T-19 input. You will need a T18/T-19 Ford front bearing retainer and machine it to GM specs for the clutch release bearing. Again covered here lots.
    Covered tons if you do a search. The only really unique part here is using the 4-1 T-19 Ford input (23 teeth).
     
  7. Sep 1, 2019
    y2grey

    y2grey Member

    Fayetteville NY
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    If it's a JEEP CJ T18 check the stick out on the main shaft. If it's 7.5 or there abouts give NOVAK a call and get their adapter kit. (I did that last summer with a T18 out of a 78 CJ5 and it ended up going super easy)
     
  8. Sep 1, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Huh. Interesting. Seems possible that the T-19 input shaft would work (not doubting), but how common are they? I'd expect they are not made aftermarket like the Ford T-18 inputs that Parts Mike sells. You may have to buy the whole transmission to get the input shaft.

    Which kit did you use? A '78 CJ has a wide ratio transmission that I presume has a different stickout from the close ratio transmission the OP describes.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2019
  9. Sep 1, 2019
    IrishCJ6

    IrishCJ6 Member

    Wicklow Ireland
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    Am I totally wrong in saying, wouldn't it be easier to have someone machine up an adapter plate out of ali that would suit the bolt pattern of the v6 and mate to a common bellhousing that suits the T18. It's going into a CJ6 so space is not an issue? I'm sure things like clutches/release bearings could be adapted to fit also. With modern CNC and computer program pattern making I would have thought it wouldn't be a problem.
     
  10. Sep 1, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    You are describing this adapter, as I understand you: Adapting the Chevrolet & GM Standard Shift Bellhousings to the Jeep CJ & FSJ Borg-Warner T14, T15 & T18 Transmissions It fits the T-14/T-15 transmission pattern, but the T-18 is already adapted to that by the factory plate adapter.

    The only difference is Novak starts with a cast blank rather than a billet as you describe. I expect they use a cast blank because it's cheaper both due to less material needed and less machining time. Unless you are a machinist and your own time is free, I don't think you could have an adapter made for less than the cost of this one.
     
  11. Sep 6, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

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    Here is the bellhousing that came on my buick
     
  12. Sep 6, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    That looks like the 1971-only bell housing. It's deeper than the Buick bell used with an adapter 1966-70. The T-14/T-15 pattern is that large squarish rectangle defined by the 4 bolts.

    This is the Buick bell housing:
    [​IMG]
     
    FinoCJ and mike starck like this.
  13. Sep 7, 2019
    458soco

    458soco Sponsor

    North Georgia
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    I got the trans today. The input shaft is 9.75 without the cast iron adapter.
     
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