Help a confused person trying to adapt T18 to 225!

Ok, today I pulled out the T14 and was going to install my T18. The T18 came out of a J pickup with an I6. And of course, the best laid plans of mice and men always end up with snafus.

1. These are the adapters I have. The thicker one is for :v6: to T14 and the thinner (7/8") one is for a I6 motor to my T18. It bolted up beautifully. The problem is that the input shaft of the T14 is the same length (9-3/8") as the T18's shaft. Using the adapters I had, the T18 shaft is now too short by 7/8". Could I put my pilot bushing in, but not all the way in and run it that way so the shaft goes into it?



2. Searched Novak's site for the adapter I needed. This is where I am totally lost. There are two that seem like they would work. It seems like this is the one I need, but when we called, they directed us to this one. Please help. I'm about ready to grind 7/8 off the adapters and put it in that way. lol.

3. I'm going to use the J pickup's transfer case and cut down the piece of tubing and linkages. The only problem is that the shifter only works in 4L and N. I don't get any high ranges. I took the shifter box apart and didn't see anything broken. Am I missing something or am I just being an idiot here and not using the sifter correctly.

What the shifter looks like:

 

Try novak they should be helpful. http://www.novak-adapt.com/

 

Ummm....

 

I cant tell from the pic but it appears the t18 adapter will bolt up to the bellhousing, take the t14 adapt off and bolt on the t18 adapt.. If it wont bolt up redrill it so it will

 

When I did mine I used a t-18 from a Ford, no adapter, re drilled stock 225 bell housing for t-18 pattern. had to turn the retainer down for a slip fit on the bell housing. You look like you have the long output shaft. Then t-18 you need is from a 78-79 cj5. that should be a bolt in and come with the texas pattern adapter. The problem with Jeep T-18's is they made 12 diff. versions or something and they are not all interchangeable necessarily. Clint did manage to get one to work I think? Nickmil will probably be able to point you in the right direction as well. Good luck.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/jeep_t18_bh_adapters.htm

What are you putting this in? Gotta watch your overall length.

 

If I do that, then my shaft will be too long by 2+" and there is no way to keep it exactly centered.

It's going in the Jalopy. My input shaft measures 9 3/8". That bottom picture if reference to what the transfer case shifter looks like. I pulled it off google. Whats the texas pattern adapter?

 

FWIW novak has to different pilot bearings to use in the 225V6. The small pilot which fits the inside hole would be the standard application. The outside hole on the end of the crank would be about right for your 7/8" back-set. Novak make a special bearing/bushing to fit this larger hole in the crank end. It just might work. You may have to mill the inside of the bushing to fit the shaft. I'm thinking I can do this bushing conversion to my 225 to T-15 with the Not made for adapter that I have on hand. We will see.

 

Right now, the tranny is bolted up to the engine with no flywheel, clutch or pilot bushing. I looks like it might just work. The T14 pilot bushing is about 1/16" shorter than the new T18 one. Hopefully that gives just enough.

 

Have you measured the overall length to compare? I think with all the adapters it's going to be tight for a rear drive shaft. It's a little more money but to keep it as short as possible do what Windyhill suggested and use a Ford input and front bearing retainer and machine down the bearing retainer to standard GM specs. I can get those for you if you need them. Re-drill the bellhousing and you'll have the shortest combination feasible. You'd be surprised how much difference in the rear driveshaft angles 7/8" drivetrain length can make.

 

I don't want to change out the input shaft because a) I know nothing about trannys and b) I'm under a time constraint. I need the jeep for October 3rd. I have a plan and we'll have to see if it works!

 

If you just restored that bright red 1953 CJ3A, then you must know a little something about trannys!

IMO, time constraints and Jeep work usually don't mix well. Put your old T14 back in just for your Oct 3rd event. After you're done, come back and fully research the T18 upgrade. I spent much time with this very issue. I really think you're on the wrong track with using a bell housing adapter in such a short rig. There are other solutions for an excellent installation.

 

:iagree:

 

I skipped the bellhousing adapter and slotted the holes in my transmission case. I added one new bolt in my buick bellhousing and I am good to go.

 

I didn't need to rebuild it. It was rebuilt a few years before we got it.

BTW, why was this moved to ECJ5 tech?

 

I'm guessing because you're dealing with a V-6 that was stock in an Early CJ-5 and a T-18 which was an option in an Early CJ-5 and would most likely get better exposure here. I didn't move it so that's my supposition.

Did you get out the tape measure and do some close measurements to see if it would even fit with all those adapters?

 

Ok. sounds fine to me. Just curious, thats all.

 

Well...What did you decide??

 

Pretty sure Nate has been bombing around in the jalopy with the T-18 for about 5 months now!

 

Yep, what he said. I machined out the old T14 adapter to fit the T18 shaft collar and drilled and tapped 4 holes in the case that line up with the old T14 mount holes. Then I used studs with some thread sealant and it's been a ball! My friends are gonna kill me when we go out this summer... They're going to be riding their brakes all the time. :twisted: