T90 Sealed Bearing

Here's a quote from a T90 Rebuild Guide found on the internet which discusses the option of using a sealed bearing on the front of the trans that the input shaft rides in:

"The main Drive Gear bearing should be replaced if the center wobbles in the cage, grinds when spun or makes a squealing noise. I recommend changing it anyway. This bearing may be changed with a sealed bearing but some things need to be changed if you do this."

I'm getting ready to put my T90 back together and I need some input. Should I use the stock bearing or go with a sealed unit? The stock bearing is lubed by the oil in the trans, but I guess there is the possibility of the oil leaking out the front of the trans with this bearing and potentailly getting on my clutch. The sealed bearing is self lubed and doesnt need servicing (so I've read), and it will keep all oil in the trans.
Has anyone ran a sealed bearing? What are your thoughts?

 

Well the felt seal is for use with the short shaft 15/16" diameter input shaft. I'm using the long shaft 1 1/8" diameter input shaft, so the felt seal will not fit. is there a felt seal or anykind of seal for use with the longer, larger diameter input shaft?

 

I'm running a sealed bearing in the front, but only have 200+ miles on it. No leaks yet. Guy at the bearing place said it should be good for a loooooong time with no outside lube. I went with it because I was hoping to keep it from leaking on that end. I used a liberal amount of aviation sealer around the circumference of the bearing when I installed it, and also used sealer on the gasket for the retainer. Time will tell I 'spose, but I don't feel it was a bad decision....

 

Bill, are you running the long or short input shaft? Do you have the bearing part # and manufacturer handy?

 

Oh, and don't forget you need to seal the oil return hole in the front under the retainer! Sealed bearing is pointless without doing that!

 

I don't know about the long/short, but it was stock T90/F134. I was able to use the T90 rebuild guide verbatim, so I got the bearing number off of that site. If you're not sure, just take the old bearing with you, and they can cross it to a sealed version.

 

ok, if its a 134, then its gotta be a short shaft. the long shaft has an oil hole that runs through the shaft and to the other side of the bearing. so that would have to be sealed along with the oil return hole. but on a short shaft you have to seal only the oil return, as the short shaft does not have the hole running to the other side of the bearing.

 

what is this T90 long shaft to be used in?
with a V6 conversion (Offy) it requires that you use a GM type bearing retainer.
the GM type retainer is machined for an oil seal; I think it is a Ford p/n seal that is used

 

Is it possible to remove the seal from the bearing on the tranny end, while leaving the seal on the clutch end? This way here you have the best of both worlds. I know with our industrial bearings we do that depending on application. Usually the seal just pops off.

 

I am mating my t90 to a buick 215 v8 with the use of the long input shaft. putting the sealed bearing aside.... if i use the stock bearing, is there any kind of seal to use in the place of the felt seal that is used on the short input shaft?

To remove all doubt about the seal i am talking about, see the link below (which illustrates a T90 with the short input shaft), part #3. Now with the long input shaft (AKA main drive gear), part #3 will not fit over the long shaft because in addition to it being longer, it is a larger diameter. So, is there any seal to be used in its place with the long input shaft?

http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Photos/Parts/Transmission.gif

 

Here is quote from Novak's T90 rebuild guide that furthur illustrates my point:

"The felt oil seal washer that may be supplied in some T90 gasket sets is only used on stock installations that use the 15/16 diameter 4 cylinder input gear."

Unfortunately, this is all they mention on the topic. Nothing is said about what is done if you are not using the stock input gear (or shaft).

 

what adapter you using between bellhousing and trans ? (if any)
the Offy adapter has the machining for holding the bearing built into their adapter
the GM brg retainer then bolts to the engine side of the adapter
so you would have in this order: trans, gasket, adapter, brg retainer, bellhousing with the seal inside the retainer
the retainer also has reversed "knurling" to keep the oil going back to the trans
any help?

 

xactly what I was thinking Glenn
just didn't say it correctly

 

There is an adapter in between my bellhousing and trans. The only stamp anywhere on it (i looked all over) is on the top and it simply says "T90". No indication of a manufacturer. The bearing retainer on my setup is mounted on the trans then the adapter goes on, then it is mated to the bellhousing. There is no bearing built into my adapter. my retainer does have the reverse knurling (looks like course threads) to keep the oil coming back to the trans.
So I guess the question is simply this: Refering to the number 3 part illustrated in the above link, do I need this part (or one that will fit) with my rebuild or is no seal to be installed?

 

Gotcha. I too am surprised to hear it doesnt use a seal. Thanks Glenn.

Thanks for your input too Jim.

No seal it is......

 

looking at my FSJ parts manual, no seal is used in T90 longshaft version
is #7 present in your set-up, the oil slinger?
if so, button it up and run it as is
my opinion

 

#7 per the above link is the "front bearing washer". this is also known as the oil slinger? It is present in my setup because i am simply removing the short shaft in my trans and replacing it with a long shaft. whether or not it belongs there is another question?
I wish I had an exploded view for the long shaft model.
Jim, is number 7 present in your manual? can you identify any differnces between the exploded view attached and what your manual for the long shaft model shows?