Build Thread Operation Money Pit

[defibvt]

My garage will be AMC 150 degrees or higher in the peak of summer. Not mention it is 110 in the shade. Good times.

 

[jdcaples]

I done with the heavy work until it cools off in AZ. My garage gets darn hot in the summer. Should be back at it in the end of October.

Oh, like that TV show, "The Walking Dead" the series continues in the Fall.

Speaking of weather, I think it got up to 65 in Seattle today.... probably no sunshine for 50 miles in any direction; further if you're talking west, south or north.

-Jon

 

[defibvt]

Oh, like that TV show, "The Walking Dead" the series continues in the Fall.

Speaking of weather, I think it got up to 65 in Seattle today.... probably no sunshine for 50 miles in any direction; further if you're talking west, south or north.

-Jon

At 65 degrees I would out in shorts and t-shirt building this thing but at 89 degrees it is not going to happen.

 

[defibvt]

So I have dilemma (sp), I have a T-18 that is rebuilt and ready to go into my CJ. I have adapter plate for my 300 also purchased. (Yes, they are for sale while I decide). I found a T-176 that is ready to go minus a bell housing for sale for $600.

My neighbor says I will be happier with the T-176 but my dilemma (sp) is I can spend a few bucks on bolts and put in the T-18 or sell it and the adapter plate. Then I would have to buy the T-176 and spend a few bucks on bolts to put that in.

The old say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Does this apply to my case or should I buy the T-176 and sell the other two items. It looks like I will have to buy the T-176 before I can sell the other two items.

I am looking for opinions and feedback. All are welcome.

 

[Posi]

It depends on your intended use. If used mostly for road use sell the heavy duty T-18 to someone that can use it, and buy the medium duty T-176 .

If it were me, no way would I install in my CJ a T-176 over T-18 , even if the T-176 was in perfect working order, and the T-18 needed a rebuild.

 

[defibvt]

Now I need to figure out hardware. I have decided to keep the T-18 . (thanks Posi for the input) This is what I need but I don't know sizes. I figure the Gurus of this forum may or have a URL that will lead me to the correct sizes.

1. Bolts that go from the bell housing to the Transmission or vice versa. I think there are 4.

2. Bolts that bolt the bell housing to the engine block.

3. Bolts that hold the adapter plate to the Transmission .



4. Bolts that hold the Transfer Case (Dana 300 ) to the adapter plate.



5. What size are the four bolts in the center?


Pics are for reference. If you need more, let me know. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Petescj]

I'm one of the biggest backers of the T-176 you'll find on this forum. It's a great medium duty Transmission that can live behind a stock AMC V-8. I just bought a 82 CJ7 and part of the reason was it came with the T-176 . The T-176 is also light and bolts right up to your Dana 300 .



That being said I think it's kind of foolish if you don't go with the T-18 . It's the last Transmission you'll put behind that AMC 232 i6 . The only thing that will limit you from crawling all over the state of Arizona is the shorter wheelbase of the CJ5 . The T-18 has a 1/1 4th just like the T-176 . The only real driving on the road difference is you start in second. The ratios for 2nd through 4th are very similar to the T-150 3 spd.

I'd like to know your friends reasoning.

 

[defibvt]

He says that it will be smoother. He states that the T-18 is clunky and noisy. So was the T-14 so I am not really concerned about that. In fact, 2-4 gears are nearly the same or the same as my old T-14 . Now the pics. Not a lot of progress but I am encouraged. The adapter is on, my neighbor gave me some good pointers. I respect his opinion and skill.





The blue tape is to remind to put in fluid. It would be a bad thing not to do that. The adapter is on but not tightened down. I put thread sealer on it and the studs kept moving so I am letting it set up. I will get back to it next weekend.

I do need to know what bolts I need as described in the above post. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. If I can get these bolts I will be putting in the Transmission next weekend.

 

[defibvt]

One more thing. How do I get the bell housing off?

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[Posi]

If it's not coming off after you remove the 3 bolts (1stud) tap it lightly with a rubber mallet.
The bottom two holes on the bell to block is 7/16-14 2.75 the top bolts 3/8-16 2.187 top center 3/8 16 1.625
Give AA a call on the adapter bolt size
Transmission to bell I'll have to look at my setup when I get home.
Hope this helps.

 

[Petescj]

No offense to your friend. He's right , the T-18 is a truck Transmission . The T-176 is also lighter making it easier to install and remove. My bet is though you'll only have to heave that T-18 in there once.

 

[defibvt]

I don't take any offense. I and know my friend won't. He works at Chuck's Speed shop here in Phoenix and does most of their specialty stuff. He knows his stuff and isn't afraid to tell me . Thanks Posi, I appreciate the info.

 

[Hedgehog]

It seems logical that a Speed Shop guy would prefer the 176 over the T-18 . I'm not really sure where the noise complaint comes from. In normal road gears I never noticed gear noise, in 1st or compound there is noise, but the straight cut gears in compound aren't really a running gear. Its a gear you grab when you need a little more power or you need to go slower. Generally in those conditions you are paying more attention to how tightly your sphincter is grabbing your seat that the extra noise of your gears.

 

[defibvt]

You are probably correct. My old T-14 wasn't loud or noisy. Side note: I got the bell housing off with convincing hammer (rubber hammer). Now to go buy bolts. Heehee!! Getting closer!

 

[defibvt]

Off to Ace Hardware in a few minutes. I will report back what I find and what works since you can never have too much information.

 

[Hedgehog]

Remember there are three sizes of bell housing bolts. I believe 4 bolts that are ~3/8" and two bigger bolts that go through the bell housing indexing pins that are ~7/16". The sizes are approximate but relatively the same. Then there are the smaller ones ~1/4" for the dust shield, can't remember how many of those. Of course go with grade 8 bolts. Then there are a couple that hold the starter in place. Be careful with ANY bolt that threads directly into the aluminum bell housing. On my T-15 bell housing I ended up with inserts in every threaded hole. Didn't need'em in all the holes, but the PO made sure to require them in several others so I went ahead and did them all. It's nice to know the bolt treads are steel on steel.

While I admit to going to ACE when I need something quick, I've generally given up on ACE. If you have a nuts and bolts store close by Like Copper State Nut & Bolt you can get a bucket full of bolts for what ACE charges for a small hand full.

 

[Posi]

The Transmission to bell top two bolts should be 7/16-14 x 1.5" and the bottom right should be 9/16-13 x 1.5"

 

[defibvt]

All done, except I forgot loctite so I get to redo them tomorrow. Thanks for all the help.

 

[defibvt]

My next hurdle is installing the Transmission . I am ready and have all the necessary hardware. I just need an extra pair of hands. It only weighs AMC 150 lbs.

 

[defibvt]

Remember there are three sizes of bell housing bolts. I believe 4 bolts that are ~3/8" and two bigger bolts that go through the bell housing indexing pins that are ~7/16". The sizes are approximate but relatively the same. Then there are the smaller ones ~1/4" for the dust shield, can't remember how many of those. Of course go with grade 8 bolts. Then there are a couple that hold the starter in place. Be careful with ANY bolt that threads directly into the aluminum bell housing. On my T-15 bell housing I ended up with inserts in every threaded hole. Didn't need'em in all the holes, but the PO made sure to require them in several others so I went ahead and did them all. It's nice to know the bolt treads are steel on steel.

While I admit to going to ACE when I need something quick, I've generally given up on ACE. If you have a nuts and bolts store close by Like Copper State Nut & Bolt you can get a bucket full of bolts for what ACE charges for a small hand full.

Ace is closer to me than Copper State. They are less than a mile from my house. I think I got lucky. I thought I stripped some threads installing the last bolt but fortunately it was the bolt that had the problem. Traded one bolt for the another and everything was fine.