t-86 trans replacement

Ok, I know this must be a frequently asked Q but my T-86 trans ( 1968 CJ5 stock Buick v6) is worn out and I would like to rebuild it as a T-90 using the T-86 case because I think the parts are available from Novak, or replace it with another type of trans. any Ideas?

 

How much do you want to spend? There are plenty of transmission options if you are willing to spend the time and money.

 

When my T86 was growling loud enough that I couldn't stand it any more, I had a spare T90 (with long input shaft conversion already) that I gutted. I would have stayed with the T86 internals, but my cluster gear was shot and the replacement was $$$$. Are you sure that a common rebuild kit won't revive your T86? Are the gears in good shape? Herm the overdrive guy sells a T86 rebuild kit.

I could have used the T90 case and bellhousing adapter, but the T86 case has the single stick Dana 18 mount that I wanted to retain. There are really no tricks besides using the T86 bearing retainer to couple with your large hole Dana 18, and you will also need different shift forks on your shift tower as the T90 gears are smaller.

 

When my T86 ate itself a a few years back, I got a rebuilt T14 from Herm the Overdrive Guy for a great price. Used the same T86 to V6 adapter, but had to get a new T/C input "bull" gear because of the output shaft spline count. I know that the T14 has a bit of a bad rep for being weak, but I like the syncho first gear. No problems in almost 4 years.

 

I would go the t-14 route.

 

Who was it here that said that the T-15 will bolt up in place of the T-14? If this is true, and I were replacing a transmission, I'd surely rather have a T-15 than a T-14 - stronger and better ratios.