I have a issue with some parts I ordered from Hicks a while back. I had a t18-a that was set-up for a chevy and I wanted to convert it back to AMC. I ordered a t18 input shaft short style and I also orded a bearing retainer to match the shaft from Hicks. From day one the input shaft seal on the bearing retainer has never held back the gear oil.

I pulled the tranny 4 times in a one year period to try and stop the leak. The last time was in Oct of last year I noticed the input shaft had a contact mark and a small galled area on it. It seems the input shaft had been making contact with the bearing retainer just past the input shaft seal. It had already clearenced itself so I polished off the galled area and installed a new seal. That was only 400 miles ago. (I dont drive the jeep except to trail drive and to my club meetings).

I pretty much came to this conclusion, the bearing retainer rides to far down on the input shaft. The Sealing surface on the input shaft is clean and seems free of defect and the seal is still interferance fitting. I took a dry erase marker and coated the machined area where the seal makes contact and then slid the retainer back into place. The seal totaly wiped the area clean all the way to the end of the machined area. So What I think it is doing is the seal is going to far down the shaft and actually making contact with the stop on the shaft and distorting the seal making it leak.

Is there some way that I could have gotten a wrong bearing retianer or maybe the input shaft seal counter bore is to shallow? I cant afford to install clutches every year due to oil saturation. The input shaft bore was soaked when I pulled it apart this time and I have checked the rear main seal. This is all coming from the clutch side of the flywheel and it is 90 weight.

What do you guys think about this?

You might try a couple things -
1) The most effective would be to use a sealed bearing with the inner seal removed on the front of the tranny. This is a trick we use on T-90's which are famous for leaking out the front.

2) Do you have a paper gasket under the front bearing retainer? If not, would a gasket thickness or 2 solve your problem?

3) Are you sure you have the right pilot bushing, not one that has too large a hole? That might cause the problem you are describing by letting the input shaft bounce up and down somewhat.

Originally posted by oldjeep
You might try a couple things -
1) The most effective would be to use a sealed bearing with the inner seal removed on the front of the tranny. This is a trick we use on T-90's which are famous for leaking out the front.

2) Do you have a paper gasket under the front bearing retainer? If not, would a gasket thickness or 2 solve your problem?

3) Are you sure you have the right pilot bushing, not one that has too large a hole? That might cause the problem you are describing by letting the input shaft bounce up and down somewhat.

I looked for a sealed bearing but i couldnt find one. I am using a paper gasket. If i added more gasketss the input bearing would have slop.

Pilot is a good fit.


Hicks Emailed me pretty quik, I hope they have a answer.