Clutch Throw Out Guide, Or Support Tube?

for "what the heck is that"? I'm new to Jeeps, but I have a lifetime of building and repairing cars and motorcycles. While repairing some clutch damage(the fork broke the clip at the pivot ball, took out one "ear" of the fork, and broke the guide tube for the throw out bearing). The what the heck part was the throw out guide, or support tube. It looks like a front bearing retainer for the transmission. But it is not. It bolts into the bell housing, and the throw out bearing rides on it. The input shaft of the transmission passes through it and into the splines of the clutch disc. while looking online for a replacement I found not only was there none to be had, nobody understood what I was talking about. As it turns out a parts guy in Indiana knew what it was, but he didn't have one. It turns out only '67-'69 CJ5's use this design. Hence the rarity. My first thought was cut out the broken old tube and weld in another one. The tube has a 1 3/8th" OD. I didn't have any and neither did my local supplier. I found it online, but "Speedy" wasn't. In the mean time, Staring at the broken, "unobtanium" part, I decided to search the part number that was cast into it. Only reference was to a part for a Caterpillar. It also had GM and another small number cast in it. Since the Dauntless engine started life as a Buick in it's original form and did use GM parts at one time, and the part in question did look like a front bearing retainer, I started looking at GM 4 speed retainers. The Muncie T10 retainer looked the closest I had seen so I ordered one. The base is twice as thick, but is the same diameter as my part. Once into the bell housing it fit just fine, but, Three of the four mounting holes line up but the 4th is a half a hole off. I elongated that last hole and it bolted right in. Hopefully if you encounter one of these "what the heck is it?" parts this will help you get back on the road.

 

Pictures would help.

 

Would be good to post the part number you found. Where there is a will right. Good show.

 

Your description almost sounds like an aftermarket engine/transmission conversion part. I have used "kits" when swapping engines/transmissions that use front bearing retainers from other vehicles, on a custom sleeve that slides on the original to extend them. Aftermarket bellhousings sometimes are designed to cover the base of the original bearing retainer (after cutting the snout off), and then bolt a second retainer on to the bellhousing for the throwout to ride on. One aftermarket bellhousing replaces/becomes the front bearing retainer, and bolts the T90 bearing retainer on for the clutch operation.
I've never seen the factory bearing retainer/snout that bolts to the bellhousing. They typically attach to the front of the transmission case as a bearing retainer, and the bellhousing inner bore indexes around the retainer outer flange.
What year is your Jeep, and what engine and transmission do you have? Photos, even of the bellhousing, would help.
-Donny

 

I don't have the part number, but if you go to Amazon and put in Muncie 4 speed parts it's there in the parts breakdown.

 

Thanks Donny. You may be right about this being a conversion of some kind. The trans is a T98 4 speed that I am certain was installed by the first owner (I am the third owner). The trans mount uses a 1 1/2" square tube spacer to lower the mount. It has a Dana 20 Tcase, instead of an 18. The Jeep is a '69 CJ5. I was told by a knowledgeable Jeep parts guy the only the '67-'69 CJ's used this setup.

 

One Note has my photos where I can't access them other than to see them myself. Everything on my phone goes into One Note. I have been trying to get around that system so I can share them.

 

I MAY have one, the number is a little hard to see but looks like 604932, with GM5 on the opposite side. Looks like a regular front bearing retainer but mounts on the bellhousing, not the trans. Really rare transmission but the gearbox itself took water and is rough but not a goner. Had a guy wanting the whole transmission but have not heard from him for a while now, will try to get the story straight there. Not positive but I think it is T98 with a Perkins bellhousing. I can PM my phone number if you want, I can send pics, just do not have the technology to get them on here, as of yet anyway.

 

I found the part number. It is Richmond gear WT297-6. It is used on the M20, M21, M22 T10.