Help I can not make up my mind

Well I am about three weeks into my '55 project and I have come to a roadblock. I dropped off my T90 with a mechanic and he came back with a $600 quote, aint gonna happen, I can buy a rebuilt one for less. So the question is this. He told me that I needed some work on my cluster gear, a new second gear, and though my input shat was ok, suggested replacing that as well, plus all the other little things. I got this Jeep knowing the tranny needed to be put back together not totally rebuilt, I had always figured on just following the rebuild guide and getting a samll parts kit and gaskets and call it all good. The reason for this is mainly I just want to get it back to moving condition, have fun with it for a few years and when My son is older take it apart again. But with the inspect of a trusted mechanic now I am thinking other. I am now considering either Novaks master kit or Herm's. I guess with my options of either just a basic rebuild get it back together or a major parts repalcement get it back together, I guess I need a push(might be the wrong crowd asking for permission from:twisted: ) but i hate doing this the wrong way but I also hate spending more than needed. AAAARRRRGGG this addiction is a tough one. So I guess I am asking what you guys would do, seeing that just last week I was silling to pay a guy down in Denver $400 to rebuild it(having not seen it) why would the $200 on the master kits bother me, I don't know. Thanks for any counseling given Bob

 

I would vote to do the rebuild yourself. But if all you want is to get it running again, good used T90's are the cheap way out. If you do decide to do it yourself here is a link that might help...http://www.willystech.com/wt/T90RebuildGuide/T90rebuild.htm

Keith

 

Yep. Don't spend more on the transmission than it's worth. A used T-90 won't cost much - you can buy several used ones for your mechanic's rebuild price and assemble a good one. Did your mechanic price new input and cluster gears? I expect that's where much of the expense is coming from. The master kit isn't going to include gears, except for 2nd.

I'd first start with Herm and ask what his price is for a rebuilt. He can probably take your core and put one together from what's good in yours, plus some used parts. He's well respected here, and has a lot of experience with these transmissions. You could follow the same route - sourcing used parts from another transmission, or another complete transmission - if you feel you're up to it.

 

Looking at Herm's site, "The following transmissions ... are offered for sale outright, with no exchange needed." So, you send him a check, he ships you a transmission - no core exchange.

 

I talked to Herm the other day after my T-14 went out. He has a core charge now because he's not getting cores for rebuilds. Best to call him first.

 

It's not hard to do yourself and its fun. 300 for a rebuilt one isn't bad at all, but probably $50 in shipping as well.

 

Thanks guys for the counseling. Like I had mentioned, I had originally planned on rebuilding the tranny myself, but as I began getting into other things I thought I would look into a perfessional rebuild, but that is not in the budget. Even my wife is encouraging me to do it myself, so that is definately the plan. Tonight I am going to look over the parts, and see what I think I need to replace, I keep going back to the fact that this T90 worked fine before my Brother-in-law got his hands on it. I have no doubt that with my skills and patience I can do this. Thanks again for the help, I have to post some update photos on the project, now that I have the engine and frame cleaned up and repainted, just a few more things before I can put the body back on

 

Thanks Warloch I will keep you in mind. I actually took a look at everything and began cleaning things up and I think I am in pretty good shape. The cluster and sliding gears just need some cleaning up. The reverse idler and second gears I will replace and also the countershaft is worn pretty bad. With an overhaul kit I think this might be a fun rebuild, I can not wait for the parts to get here. Probably my biggest concern is that I did not take this tranny apart so other than shop drawings and rebuild instructions(which I have read several times) that is all I have, but I think it is doable. Thanks again guys.

 

With Rick Stivers rebuild pages it was a breeze. The tools he has listed are must haves/makes.