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T18 Swap Throwout Or Ball Stud Modify

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 71CJ54WD, Dec 10, 2018.

  1. Dec 10, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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?
     
  2. Dec 10, 2018
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    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.
     
  3. Dec 10, 2018
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    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.
     
    Rich M. likes this.
  4. Dec 10, 2018
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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  5. Dec 10, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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 :flag:(y)). 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?
     
  6. Dec 10, 2018
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Goes from the tip of the fork .....forward to the bell housing...just to take the slack out.
     
    71CJ54WD likes this.
  7. Dec 10, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    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?
     
  8. Dec 10, 2018
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Find a hole , make a bracket , a heavy throttle return spring will do...
     
    71CJ54WD likes this.
  9. Dec 10, 2018
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    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.
     
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