XtremeGod
02-11-2002, 11:27 AM
I have an 85 CJ-7 that I plan on putting an 85 350 in. The engine is currently connected to a TH350, but I am thinking of replacing that with a T18A. I was wondering what parts I will need to make this work and how much they will cost. Don't spare the details. Websites and pictures are nice too. :)
Grandpa Jeep
02-11-2002, 12:08 PM
Are you keeping the D300? The T-18 will require a ~$500 adapter to mate it to the D300. Do you already own the T-18? If not also consider the Ford NP 435, SM465 or SM420. They will all require a ~$500 adapter to mate them to the D300, but the Chevy trannies will bolt up the the Chevy engine. The Ford trannys will require some fabrication and mixing and matching of parts, but it's not difficult. Novak (http://www.novak-adapt.com) has an article on what's required in their knowledge base.
Unless you already have the T-18, I would go with whichever of the four granny trannys I got the best deal on noting the extra effort it takes to install the Ford trannys. They're all good strong trannys and all are approximately the same size with approximately the same low gear ratio.
XtremeGod
02-11-2002, 12:12 PM
Well I have a Dana 300 and a Dana 20 so I could run either, but if I did indeed use the T18A then I would use the 20 so that I wouldn't need an adapter on that end.
Technically I do not have the T18A yet, but I will have two of them shortly when I buy two more CJ-7's. That is why I was wondering how hard it would be.
AzWebMan
02-11-2002, 12:16 PM
Since it sounds like you don't have a Bell Housing for the 350, I'd suggest going with a Custom Bell Housing. I believe both Novak and Advance Adapters make them. I used one when swapping a 327 into a my old CJ-5. I think it was a little cheaper than the adapter -- or maybe it was just cheaper for me since I didn't have a Chevy bell-housing either.
From AA:
"FORD TRUCK 4SP TRANSMISSIONS TO GM V6/V8 ENGINE:
In some of the short wheel-base vehicles, doing an engine & transmission swap is a game of inches by trying to retain the longest possible rear driveshaft length. In many cases, it’s easier to accomplish this by coupling a GM engine to a Ford transmission to a Jeep transfer case.
We’ve designed a bellhousing that can retain the stock hydraulic or mechanical clutch linkage on most Jeep vehicles. The bellhousing requires an 11” Chevy flywheel and pressure plate, with a Ford Clutch disc (Centerforce P/N 281226), and release
bearing (N1714). The bellhousing comes complete with a new Chevy release arm, pilot bushings, and necessary hardware.
P/N 712549 - Ford Truck 4sp (T18, T19 & NP435) to Chevy V6/V8 engine"
Advance Adapters (http://www.advanceadapters.com)
Novak Adapters (http://www.novak-adapt.com)
Grandpa Jeep
02-11-2002, 12:23 PM
Well in that case, definately run the T-18. The CJ T-18a is very similar to the Ford T-18. The input shaft just has a longer tip and the case is a little different. The instructions on the Novak (http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm) site should still work for a Jeep tranny. If the longer tip causes any problems, you could replace the input shaft with a Ford shaft or cut it off to Ford length.
XtremeGod
02-11-2002, 02:14 PM
Thanks
Once everything is all sorted out I will let everyone know how it goes.
XtremeGod
02-11-2002, 04:15 PM
While I am at it does anyone else have any info?