Transmissions...what should I do???

I just got a good look inside my T86 that I was planning on sending to Herm for an upgrade & it's not salvageable... the housing that holds the first/reverse idler shaft is cracked & looks as though somebody had tried to repair it with something like PC-7 or some other type goop.

So it looks like it's gonna cost me a few more dollars than I originally anticipated to get it back on the road...

Any suggestions on what you all might do? Upgrade? To what? Keep looking for a serviceable T86 to send to Herm?

I need to give this some deep thought...

 

The main difference between a T-86 with T-90 guts and a T-90 is the front transmission pattern. One option would be to buy a T-90 and a T-90 to GM adapter, and use that in place of your T-86 and T-86 to GM adapter.

If it were mine and I were unable to swing a truck 4-speed conversion, I'd look for a T-14 from a V6 CJ-5.

Didn't Jim (jpflat2a) suggest a T-150 in your earlier thread? A T-15 from a '72-75 304 CJ-5, a 72-73 304 Commando, or a '76ish-79 258 FSJ would work with an adapter.

Any of these would be an upgrade from the T-86 or T-90.

 

I'm not sure Tim, I'd have to go back & look. I have the day off because we're slowing up at work right now. I just got off the phone with Herm & he's gonna see if he can come up with a T86 case he can use.

 

I'm really at a loss now...I'm perplexed...from what I can find on the warn overdrive, it looks as though this one was installed with makeshift parts? I don't know, but I haven't seen what looks to be about a 3/16" thick "retainer" in any schematics or IPB's
It's holding the planetary gear in place. "I think"...
Any ideas on how to get it off?

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I'm almost afraid to look inside the transfer case...this is what I found when looking inside the transmission.

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I'm still perplexed...:toetap: ? Right now I'm thinking I need to do an upgrade of both transmission & transfer case...maybe even axles...
I'm entertaining all avenues of a fix that will be permanent & repairable...hunting around for obsolete parts is not something I'm enjoying. If I break something down the road, I'd like to be able to fix it within a couple of days without having to call every scrap yard in America...I talked to Herm earlier today & he suggested I stay as close to original as possible, but if I do that, I'm feel like I'm gonna be leaving myself vulnerable to the obsolete parts market....My last project was a 41 chevy coupe that I stuck in a 327/350 with a mustang 2 front end in, so I can't really classify myself as a novice at modifying drive train components...modifying little stuff like clutch brackets, motor & transmission mounts doesn't seem that complex to me...I'll eventually be able to figure out the best route to go, but having someone to guide me through the steps would be greatly appreciated...

 

As a quick update, I finally found a T86 core today that's in good shape for $30...but I'm stuck on stupid as to how to remove the overdrives planetary gears from inside transfer case...I'm pretty sure it was boogered up when the PO did the "REPAIRS" to the transmission...I need to get the rear bearing retainer removed..Sawzall?

 

NO! don't take a sawzall to it!
PM on the way, I can come over tomorrow and help you.

Don

 

I made this same mistake recently. That six spline shaft that's sticking out the back is supposed to come off with the rear cover.Put the big nut back on and pull it out as a unit.

 

The back portion of the OD should come out looking like this



Leaving the planetary unit in the tcase-

 

if you would like you could put the nut back on and pull the shaft out as it sits here. coloradojeepguy is correct, you take the aluminum housing off first as a whole unit. it is some what stubborn, but should come out as a unit.

if you change transmissions, be aware of the need for other special parts to interface to the transfer case.
Specificly a T14A (not sure about T15s) have a half inchish spacer on the back of the transmission to locate the transfer case input gear or over drive planetary gear. If you do not have this it will work long enough for you to think all is well, then it will start behaving badly. I learned the hard way.

Advanced adapters has an install video for the over drive. go there and watch it.

mixing an matching is possible, but there is always unknown details lerking in the background waiting to bite you in the ***.

 

I finally got it off & got the tranny apart...lots of boogered up bits & pieces & black RTV all over the place...the sad part is that the PO turned over all the receipts to me when I bought it & in 2006 he had it supposedly rebuilt by a place called Golden Gate Transmission Inc. in Pleasanton Ca. for $2,299.08 ...

ETA: Thanks for the help guys...

 

A quick update with a question & a big thanks to djcj3a with his donation of a T90 & a D18... thanks to a friend, I found two rebuildable T86 cases at an obscure little 4wd shop in Sacramento at a bargain price...I sent the better of the two to Herm & am planning on rebuilding the other transmission & transfer case when time & finances allow...Now for the stupid question... Is there any difference in quality between the different suppliers of clutch kits??? I could run the one I have for a while, but as long as I have it all apart, I'm thinking I should go ahead & replace it. Any I should avoid??

 

Do you know the history of the clutch parts? If not, I would suggest getting a clutch kit. If money were tight, you could maybe justify just replacing the disk and throw-out bearing. The usual thinking is that it's too much work to get to the clutch not to routinely replace it all when the transmission is out. No personal experience with the V6, but I recall that Sachs and Luk are both good.

 

Thanks Tim, I'm in agreement on the kit...I just didn't want or need to be throwing good money away on a clutch kit that's junk.

 

Can you tell us the name of the obscure little 4WD shop in Sacramento?

Don

 

S&H 4WD on Arden Way. It probably USED to be on Arden but it now sits on the North Side of the railroad overpass.

 

I have had good luck with the LUK clutch kit. I had purchased the fork seperatly.Oz

 

Thanks guys...I ordered a LUK kit off the net this morning & it should be here by next friday...I guess I should call Herm & see if he got my payment & the status of the tranny...I also had to replace the synchros & dogs in my overdrive.

When first gear went, I certainly didn't think trying to round up parts for a fix would be such a headache...I'm still second guessing the decision to go the route I did.