Fairly new at all this stuff, picked up a fsj t-18 for cheap and want to put it in my 76' CJ-5. I got a amc 360 to the t-150 right now and thats junk as we all know for gearing. I know that I'll be able to use the bellhouseing for the t-18 and I have to change out the input shaft. Well did some homework and somewhere I thought I read that I could use a ford's t-18 input shaft just change it out and use the snycro with it. Ok, did that. It's all back together and won't work right, meaning going through the gears as it sits on the ground. It locks its self up or can't get it to neutral. Anyone out there go though this before or have any pointers.

Ok did you read that you could use a ford input shaft or did you use one?

Input shaft goes from clutch to gear packs
Output shaft goes from gears packs to T-case

edit ---feeling nicer

Now since I am not there and you are ...take the top back off, move both shift sliders into netural. Then see how it works, if at this point it works great, kick your own ass. If at this point it does't work take it apart again and make sure your end play is at spec.

Is the t-case adapter on? That sounds like what can happen if the rear bearings are able to slip out of the case a little, like when it isn't fully assembled...

I had a similar problem. It would turn fine in 4th, but would bind up in any other gear. Didn't have any trouble shifting though...

Turned out I drove the output bearing in too far. When the input bearing retainer was installed in put too much pressure on the synchros.

Also, you did pre-lube the bearings and synchros, right?

Well got some idea's on what to try. Yes I did have everything back to gether and yes I could get into netural once I removed the top again but then once I put it back on it would move the shifters just a little to throw it all out. I'll have to look into the possiblty that I put the output shaft bearing on to much, cause whith the top on I could shift and yes I think it was 4th I was able to get into but not first it just would lock all up. Tell me, has anyone done this same thing before. When you say pre-lube the bearings and synchros what do you mean, they wheren't dry when everything went back together.

By pre-lube, I just meant did you oil them up before testing. Sounds like you did.

Mine would shift into any gear, but only keep turning in 4th. All other gears locked up after less than a single turn.

Sounds like you are not getting the top cover on right. The sliders and cover must be in neutral. When you look at the bottom of the cover, you can see the shifter slipping into the notch in each shift rail, right?

With the cover off, can you turn the input shaft?

Now put the cover on, can you still turn the input shaft?

Try 4th, does it turn?

Try other gears next.

it seems everything is all good till I put the cover on and yes its all lineing up for the shifter forks, but see the cover dosn't line up just right when everything is in netural for the bolt holes. So I move it to get the bolts to line up and I think thats when it gets all out of wack. once on, seems like everything is forth like you said and then it'll lock up all together in other gears.

Well, its normal to have to adjust the cover a bit to line up the holes.

Have you checked the cover itself? Could one of the shifter forks be messed up?

Just a thought, I know it's possible to use either the 20mm or 23mm input shaft bearing and if you aren't using the same depth as the one that came out it could get a bit hosed when put back together.


Another thing.. how much did it cost for input shaft ? I have the same trans.. I really need to get it together.