HELP ME GET LOWER GEARS in L-Head

This is really a trail vehicle only, and I kindof like it when I run a trail or obstacle with big rigs with 8s and 38 inch tires, and when they say that only thing more amazing that a vehicle this old is trail capable, is that it is still the original flat head 4 squirrel plant. Buying a Tera low kit is the easy, and expensive way out, and I would rather spend the same amount on a different means to the end. As far as the Dauntless goes, I swapped one into dads cj5 last winter,and you are absolutely right.... its just not for me. The rebuild Lhead has some grunt and I am going to keep it. Any other ideas???????? NO swap, and no teralow. Lets here it.

 

Billy,

My first Jeep was a '60 CJ5 with an F134, T-90 and Ramsey PTO winch. I loved that thing. That F134 sure had a lot more power than the L-134 I pulled from the CJ2A.

 

I'll go look at the L-head in my garage with a tape measure in hand and see what I can see...

 

OK, here's what I came up with for putting a Ford T-18 behind an L-134. It involves machining. I've got a machine shop, so this may not be as practical for you if you don't have access to a mill.

You're going to want an adapter bell housing. You could fabricate one by machining away the L-134 bellhousing to the proper depth (not figured yet), machining a 1" thick plate that matches the rear of the Ford bellhousing and welding the two together. Centering the adapter will be important. You'll need to put a dial indicator on the flywheel and turn the engine over and tap the adapter until you have zero run out - and then tack weld and finish weld if you are good at welding cast iron. You could also trot this down to a foundry and have them use it as a pattern to cast a new one piece bellhousing that you could have finished machined - in fact, you might as well have them do a few and sell them.

There's room for a bigger clutch in the 134 bellhousing. I wish I could remember the exact size, but I bought it out out of the Leon Rosser catalog back in about '93 or '94 and then took the clutch cover and flywheel down to the local machine shop where they drilled and tapped the new pattern for the larger clutch. It didn't cost much back then. I now know this is a simple rotary table job on a bridgeport. It was a good sized clutch, and I bet you could find a disc for it that matches the Ford splines. I wish I could remmber the size. Maybe I can find an old catalog...

This is going to be the shortest method of adapting a Ford T-18 to an L-head. The shortened bellhousing would come within about an inch of making up for the longer transmission.

 

JNutter, that is truly a good idea, what do you recommend for the input shaft mods, will that allow me to have the shaft machined down to match the length of t90 +/- width of adapter?? This is maybe a route to consider???? ANyone else interested in one of these bellhousings, if it works out??

 

You do know that you cannot put one in your transfer case don't you Billy, they only fit in large hole dana 18's. You will have to get a newer case.
Blevisay said:

Where?????
4wd hardware wants $720 for the kit.
Believe me Billy I am thinking hard about it as it would stop some of the clutch slipping problems with the V6 and 3.73 rear gears.

 

herm carries the overdrive barrel gear for the terra low gear set..........

 

looks like im gonna have to hold out and hunt for that adapter, then get the jeep t98. WIll the guts from the granny ford t18 swap into the case from the jeep???? Has anyone done this swap, or have any ideas.


Jason