Rebuilding Ford T18 for CJ5

[Turbogus]

I'm only now getting underway on this Transmission that I picked up from a wrecking yard for $60 core charge. Ultimately this'll be connected to my Dana 20 tranfer case, behind my 360.
After selling 'Go Fast' I came into a little money and I was able to clear some stuff off of my workbench and get started. I have a Tremec book but, since this is my first Transmission rebuild, I'm taking it slow.

After getting the shift tower unstuck with a large screrwdriver the top came off with no problem. I also lucked into the local AAMCO shop pulling the front and rear bearings for me ~ for free!

Then this project took a long hiatus as I didn't have money for spare parts or a rebuild kit. Since coming in to some funds though I decided to get this project started at least.

Got the mainshaft gear assembly out of the case and the input shaft which was a small PITA on account of the length of the mainshaft and case clearances;


...after doing so the input shaft looks okay (also removed from inside of the case)


However getting a clear look at the reverse idler gear and the countershaft it looks like this rebuild will be 'all the way'


I removed this lock plate but I'm at a loss on how to remove these shafts.


Any guidance I can get on this will be of great help. I've gleaned a few web pages but I'm hoping kind folks like Craig (Gargoyle Jeeper) and others can help with their experience.

 

[gert]

I haven't personally worked on a T-18 but I'm betting shaft removal involves a hammer and punch, and boy someone ground that reverse up pretty good


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[hole]

A dead blow hammer or a brass hammer will get the rails to move right along

 

[Turbogus]

I figured they'd need pounding of some sort but since this is my first time I don't want to chance damaging anything.

There may be detractors of my building this T-18 with the non synchro'd 1st gear, but I figure if I ever need compound low, I'd have to stop, get out and lock the hubs anyway.

 

[tarry99]

However getting a clear look at the reverse idler gear and the countershaft it looks like this rebuild will be 'all the way'



Yep..........that Reverse Idler is just the start of the damage.........as the First & Reverse sliding gear ( the large gear at the rear ) has also seen better days and will continue to deteriorate and jump out of gear until replaced.....

That gear , the cluster below and Idler all mesh at different times and what your seeing is the results / grinding of gears from not coming to a complete stop prior to going to a non-syncro First gear and likewise Reverse...........

The counter shaft needle bearings and related shaft are also probably junk after all the shavings ran through there.

The T-18 is a great Transmission as long as you know how to properly use & shift one..............parts are out there you just have to shop around.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

These folks have been a great help, both in advice and parts for me in the past.
Novak Conversions Home

LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Oh my - I hate to say it, but you would be better off getting another T-18 . I've never seen reverse gears ground up that much. Gears are expensive and Ford T-18 's are still fairly common.

 

[Turbogus]

I did a comprehensive search for a T-18 Transmission in the first place about a year and a half ago, but this was the only one to be found. Apparently they've been picked over at the yards around here.

I took the tub I'm using to contain all of the bits and pieces to work and was able to disassemble the mainshaft, the three lock rings came out pretty easily despite the substandard pliers I have. Apparently I have to use some sort of angle drift to tap out the reverse idler shaft. Going to see what I can find.

 

[Hedgehog]

No Ford T-18 's, Times have changed.

In your conversion the main shaft will be replaced.

Make sure to remove the idler shaft in the right direction.

 

[Turbogus]

Go figure the lenghty main shaft is the best part in this 37 year old Transmission . I do have some funds available though and although pricey the reverse idler ($83) and other gears can still be had. If I could find a $50 donor Transmission I'd proabably go for it but as things are the input shaft seems okay and the case is okay. the mainshaft will have to be replaced to fit the Model 20 Transfer Case .
At one time I thought I had a 300 but now that I'm getting more into this stuff I now know the stock tc is the 20.

 

[Hedgehog]

Look up the adaptor kit you will need for your swap, both NOVAL and Advanced should have them for a ford T-18 to Dana 20 . They are real money, this won't be an inexpensive thing to do.

 

[Turbogus]

I've been researching this for over four years now Hedgehog, so I'm very aware of the cost of the conversion kits, but I'm just taking this one step at a time. As I've mentioned in other forums, this isn't a breakdown, just a future enhancement of 'Black Betty' as time and funds allow.
Right now I just want to get through this rebuild. I took a closer look at the reverse idler shaft last night and it appears the face of the shaft is concave to help in its removal with a drift. Still, the Tremec book mentions an angle drift, I've never heard tell of this critter.

 

[Hedgehog]

Oaky that's established, you are not a complete novice and there is or will be some money to spend eventually. Unfortunately a rebuild like this isn't something you can do partially. Sure you can do the bottom end, as long as you have the replacement gears you will need. The reassembly needs the new shaft, which comes in the adaptor kit.

I rebuilt my T-18 without the angled drift. Everything came out using a straight punch or drift or any old long piece of steel suitable to beat on with a hammer.

Edit: I know you did your due diligence in your search attempt, but I truly believe you will be economically better off with this and its close to you:

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/d/transmission/6243650624.html

 

[jafo]

Oaky that's established, you are not a complete novice and there is or will be some money to spend eventually. Unfortunately a rebuild like this isn't something you can do partially. Sure you can do the bottom end, as long as you have the replacement gears you will need. The reassembly needs the new shaft, which comes in the adaptor kit.

I rebuilt my T-18 without the angled drift. Everything came out using a straight punch or drift or any old long piece of steel suitable to beat on with a hammer.

Edit: I know you did your due diligence in your search attempt, but I truly believe you will be economically better off with this and its close to you:

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/d/transmission/6243650624.html

Oh wow. That's not bad. Looks clean. I'd still pull the top and look at the gears though. Be worth a look.

 

[Turbogus]

Looks can be deceiving and that looks like fresh paint ~ for a '68. I sent an email off to the seller asking interal condition, knowing what mine (and others) looks like. That paint job makes me dubious though.
I just returned from NAPA with a 3/4" brass drift and even if that craigslist is sold or turns out kaput I'm no averse to gain the experience of rebuilding mine. Mindful that I purchased this one over three years ago, at that time it was the only available option. On the other hand I've only purchased a couple of tools so other than the $75 clams for this one it may be a viable option.

 

[Hedgehog]

When looking at these transmissions you should pull the side inspection cover to look at the bottom gears. I know the idea of giving up on a project Transmission is troubling, but sometimes you are both money and time ahead by doing so. Yes, it's painted or at least oiled and clean and it's what is on the inside that really counts. Now that you really know what to look for and how to find it you can feel far more confident in what you are buying. I'm really not trying to push you into something you don't want to do. The idea of trying to save a part from the junk yard is compelling, but I suggest staying away from the old "Penny wise and a Dollar short" scenario.

 

[gert]

Well I'm interested in seeing you complete this rebuild


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[Turbogus]

I don't mind saving money on this project, but like I was saying it's a good way to learn by practical experience. That's how they taught us in the Marines, and I respond well to that idiom, as opposed to book learning.

Hiya Gert!

 

[Hedgehog]

You will learn on both projects. No matter what an adaptor kit will require a complete tear down. The difference is the quality of the gears and the price of replacements. I've never seen as much gear wear on any Transmission as your Transmission shows. Yes, sure most T-18 's have some grinding wear, usually rounded and slightly chipped gear ends with more than enough engagement to be serviceable for many years to come. Yours, not so much. It is a testament to the T-18 that the Transmission even works at all. If you proceed with the Transmission you have there are still some good parts there.

 

[dukecharmary]

a bit of advice, when I got my T-18 rebuilt (a large shop) there was an issue with 2nd gear. It would shift into 2nd gear sometimes but not always. Come to find out there are 2 or 3 different synchros for the T-18 depending on year. Be sure and get the right keyway size. Mine tranny had a small key and the wrong larger keyway synchro had been installed which let it go in sometimes but not always. Had to pull it back out and install the $25 part. Good Luck