Scout T98 Compatibility

Hey guys. My Jeep is a 66' CJ6. It has a 1946 L-Head and stock T90 transmission and Dana 18. I'd like to put a T98 in it for 4-wheeling for the first gear. I was thinking the T98 would work best because a lot of them came mated to the Dana 18. My question is if an early Scout T98 would work? Novak says they're pretty much the same as some of the Jeep T98's. Anyone have any info about this? Also, if the Scout T98 will work, hooking it up to the L-Head should only require the correct bell housing?
Thanks for your time and the info!
Dave

 

Input shaft/gear is different. The input shaft is a different length, diameter, and spline count.

 

As Nick points out, there is enough different that it will not bolt up.

However, if the Scout input shaft is longer than the Jeep input shaft, you may be able to machine a plate adapter and make it work. The overall length has to be such that the pilot tip will sit in the crank pocket. The size of the pilot tip has to match the pilot bushing. The splines affect the clutch disk, so you'd have to use a Scout clutch disk or other compatible clutch disk. You'd have to work out a combination of Scout clutch disk, Jeep pressure plate, release arm and release bearing that would work with those clutch parts. You may have to extend or otherwise modify the front bearing retainer so that the release bearing will travel far enough to release the pressure plate.

So it may be possible, with a simple combination of parts. If I wanted to try it, I'd get all the parts and set them on the shop floor, then mock up some parts combinations and see if it will work.

 

Ok. So sounds like a lot of modification. Lets say I was to find an early Jeep T98 that was factory mated to an L-Head, would that bolt up? Or would there be problems with the difference in year of the Dana 18?

 

AFAIK the L-head never came with the T-98. Only the F-heads did. And those are highly sought after. But the T-98 from the F-head will bolt to the L-head.

You do understand the difference between L-head (flat head) and F-head (intake in head, exhaust in block)? Jeep never built a CJ-6 with an L-head engine, so it would have to have been swapped in.

If you found a CJ-5 with a T-98 you could swap in both the transmission and the stronger F-head engine. The floor plates are different too.

 

The L-Head was swapped in by the PO. Not sure why. They had it rebuilt about ten thousand miles ago, so it purrs like a kitten. If I was to change engines, it would be to the Dauntless V-6 I have in my barn. My plan is to use the L-Head until it needs rebuilt again, and then have the Dauntless already rebuilt at that point, and switch them out. But that won't be for quite a while because I'm really easy on stuff, and since that little Flat Head Willys engine has been rebuilt, it should last a long time.
So the T98 from an F-Head will directly bolt to an L-Head. Good to know. Would a F-Head T98 work with my stock T90 bell housing? Would it be a direct fit, or would there need to be something switched out and modifications done?

 

Mmm. I believe that the same bell is used - I know it uses a plate adapter. You can imagine what parts have to change - the floor plates change, the transmission mount, crossmember location? driveshafts? If you found a donor, you could get all pieces. But don't hold out too much hope ... the word is out about his combo, and it's been out for four or five decades. Not unobtainium, but close, and certainly not for an affordable price.

If it were mine, and I wanted the V6, I would be looking for a T-18, SM420 or SM465 to go with the V6, and swap them both when I was ready. There's lots and lots of discussion about this combination in old posts here.

 

Ok. Probably the best way to go. Just make what I have work as long as possible, until I have everything ready for the V-6 and a 4 speed swap down the road. Thanks for the info Tim.

 

I don't know what these guys have because I haven't called... it looks interesting because they have a couple of jeeps in the background. http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/4275975069.html
I think it also has an overdrive attached.

 

Have a T98 mated to a D18 put behind my Dauntless V6. It already had the advanced adapters front and rear adapter plates, just had to change the 10 spline D18 input to 6 spline.

Got some major crawling power!! Decided to do that instead of changing axle ratio's (3,73 and stock 1 1/4" D18 ), Every thing moved back a little .

 

There are a couple of these guys in Auburn that collect and resell old jeep parts. They may not know exactly what they have either, but it's usually at gold prices. Although this piece could be reasonable.

 

The Scout T-98 input shaft is much shorter and smaller diameter than almost any other T-98 or T-18 input. I think we may have one or two at the shop. If I remember next time I'm up there will check and if so take a pic.


Sent from my iPhone

 

If you get all the factory parts from an originally equipped T-98 CJ5 you would get the T-98, both front and rear adapters, the D-18, the extra short rear drive shaft, the longer front drive shaft, the tranny to crossmember mount plate, and it wouldn't hurt to grab the crossmember too. The original factory top floor tranny shift tower cover was a real piece of butchered crap work. A patient guy could hand form a much better looking cover. All together it would cost you anywhere from $1200 to $2000. It will bolt right up to the same bell your T-90 was bolted to. I just stripped all of the above items from my old CJ5 plow jeep which I am putting a T-90 in for the driveway plowing. I have a 71 CJ5 V-6 chassis for my next project and will use the Dauntless I have with the T-98.

 

Here are a couple photo's of my T98 conversion. The first is before, the second and third after.
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^Did you have to drop the crossmember that much, or was that just for floorpan clearance?

 

That's just how it mounted up to my 225 V6.

 

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1st photo, Stock 3 speed, 2nd, T98.

 

This is quite the package! That's an aftermarket Chevy to Ford t98/t18 adapter bellhousing, D18 Tcase, and an overdrive. Well worth the $600 if it's in good shape.