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Ford T18 rebuild and install

termin8ed

termin8ed

I didn't do it
Staff member
Joined
Dec 22, 2002
Thought i had a thread allready but i cant find it so here we go.

Warmed up here into the 70s finally so I've been busy in the garage. Started clearing the t18 from under the pile of junk. Measuring bearing thicknesses, counting reverse idler teeth, seeing which parts i need to order to start moving on this rebuild again.

"Huh, whats this box back here..."
:facepalm:

I allready bought the rebuild kit with gaskets, bearings, and syncros, a new reverse gear and a new sliding gear.

I did find a better looking cluster shaft rod than my rusty pitted one on ebay so I'll start rebuilding when that gets here.

I'll take the bearing retainer in to work and turn that down to fit the gm bellhousing.

Novaks kit is on backorder till the 17th so I'll start cleaning up the case and work on installing the reverse and cluster gears untill i can get the new mainshaft
 
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20260410_125354.jpg

Only picture i have so far. Got that out yesterday and started soaking the inside with brake clean.
 
Good timing on this thread. I have the same tranny that I need to rebuild for my conversion. I thought the reverse gear was least likely to need replacement and is it normal to replace the main shaft? Did you have water in the case?
 
53A1 said:
is it normal to replace the main shaft?
Click to expand...
I will be replacing the ford mainshaft with one from novak's kit. The input shaft can be reused on the gm bell i have.

Too rusty?
Or clean it up and send it?
20260419_150743.jpg

53A1 said:
I thought the reverse gear was least likely to need replacement
Click to expand...
Mine, the reverse idler gear is pretty chewed up so im replacing it. The 1st/2nd gear has some wear, but not as much

There was a small amount of water but not much. Everything was pretty well coated with thick nasty old oil
 
termin8ed said:
I will be replacing the ford mainshaft with one from novak's kit. The input shaft can be reused on the gm bell i have.

Too rusty?
Or clean it up and send it?
20260419_150743.jpg


Mine, the reverse idler gear is pretty chewed up so im replacing it. The 1st/2nd gear has some wear, but not as much

There was a small amount of water but not much. Everything was pretty well coated with thick nasty old oil
Click to expand...
send it as long as the disc slides free on the shaft and the piolet end spins free in the bushing.
 
Man. I dunno. That looks pretty spent to me. I guess if the splines clean up for the disc to slide. And the end polishes up enough to not eat the pilot bushing. And the shaft lets the T/O bearing move effortlessly. But I really don't know much about this stuff. I'd have to see what a replacement costs. I'd have to ask Nick or another pro. I'd have to ask myself if I want to chance having to rip that pig back out because I didn't want spend another (guessing here) 150 bucks (used probably) on a shiny part. A speedi sleeve is gonna run ya what.....40 bucks...give or take?
 
wheelie said:
Man. I dunno. That looks pretty spent to me. I guess if the splines clean up for the disc to slide. And the end polishes up enough to not eat the pilot bushing. And the shaft lets the T/O bearing move effortlessly. But I really don't know much about this stuff. I'd have to see what a replacement costs. I'd have to ask Nick or another pro. I'd have to ask myself if I want to chance having to rip that pig back out because I didn't want spend another (guessing here) 150 bucks (used probably) on a shiny part. A speedi sleeve is gonna run ya what.....40 bucks...give or take?
Click to expand...

You can get brand new ones for 65-80 bucks. Just verify the tooth count and get the right thickness front bearing to match the new shaft.

https://www.allstategear.com/T18-Input-Shaft-9-1-8-p/t18-16lx.htm
https://cobratransmission.com/t18-i...DcqzRciT5eo43CIp8fRBLLX-X3tFGXGx4uq4uTGpqcS5m

i did that when I put the T18 8n the '71.
 
I would also replace that, wise choice.
 
termin8ed said:
Mine, the reverse idler gear is pretty chewed up so im replacing it. The 1st/2nd gear has some wear, but not as much
Click to expand...
That makes sense. No synchros on reverse and first. My first gear was a little rounded but no breakage or chips so I'm going to run it.
 
termin8ed said:
Im going to take the bearing retainer in to work tomorrow and turn it down a little.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure Novak also turns down the snout to fit a GM brownout bearing and shortens it so it doesn't hit the clutch disk.
 
Fireball said:
I'm pretty sure Novak also turns down the snout to fit a GM brownout bearing and shortens it so it doesn't hit the clutch disk.
Click to expand...
Ill have to look at that once i get the old trans out:thumbsup:

Turned the retainer down to fit the bell. Ill be checking it on break. Left the bell out in the jeep
20260422_091855.jpg
 
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