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Buick 350 swap problems

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by Jeepster1970, Nov 3, 2006.

  1. Nov 3, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    I put a Dauntless 350 from a 69 j series pickup in my jeepster. I finally got a around to actually starting it and when i let the clutch out theres nothing there, like no power to the tranny. The t-case seems to be fine. I have the 350 with the t-14 dana 20, i used the Buick flywheel/pressure plate and clutch and the the jeepster t-14/throwout bearing and clutch fork. I feel the throwout bearing is holding the clutch in, and heres why:

    When i assembled the engine and trans on the ground it went together pretty hard, when i first turned it over the backside of the clutch fork was hitting the pressure plate when i released the clutch, so i adjusted it to basicly engage the clutch slightly. At this point everything was in and buttoned up so i had no choice.

    I believe the fork won't let the throwout bearing back far enough to let the clutch engage. Any ideas? Are these clutch parts normally interchangeable? I'm bummed but i want it right so i don't mind taking it apart again.
     
  2. Nov 4, 2006
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    I live in a...
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,512
    You're diagnosis seems about right. Any chance you still have the bell housing/transmission from the Gladiator? I'm thinking that because the clutch is larger (thicker, so to speak) for the 350 it's going to be too far back in the stock Jeepster bell housing for the fork and release bearing to work properly. Contrary to my Pack Rat handle and nature I actually scraped the bellhousig that was on the 350 I pulled from the 68 Gladiator I had plus all the other Jeepster bell housings I had laying around or I could have taken some measurement to verify it. Guess even pack rats clean house once in a while :rofl: .
     
  3. Nov 4, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    Yeah, i kept the t-15/dana 20 from the glad, I'm thinking it has to come out. Would a 225 flywheel and clutch stuff bolt up to the buick or should i look for a better tranny?
     
  4. Nov 4, 2006
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    The 225 flywheel will physically bolt up but the 225 and 350 are balanced way different. Don't do it. The face of the 350 and 225 flywheel are very similar in design so the clutch may work as long as the diameter is the same. Nickmil
     
  5. Nov 4, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    The main problem was i didn't have the 225/clutch ect.. to reference to, it was removed before i got it. I can pull the trans today and compare the t-14 and the Glad t-15, i'm assuming the fork and bearing sit back farther.
     
  6. Nov 5, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    AAAAAARRRGGG!!!! Basicly it comes down to a 3/4" difference in the trans mounting surface to pivot point of the clutch fork. Unfortunitly i don't see and easy answer. There isn't nearly enough adjustment on the pivot if any at all. Possbly a different "shorter" throwout bearing, modify the fort and alter the pivot whatever i can. Either way i'm not terribly happy. Another alternative would be altering the flywheel and/or changing the clutch/pressure plate. Anybody have something they can get some measurements off of?
     
  7. Nov 5, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    Well, after much thought (like 20 minutes) I'm opting to put the t-15 that came on the 350 (but the bell is 4" longer) back on with the t-14 fork/t-14 dana 20 (cause it was way better looking) and the yoke from the gladiater dana 20 (larger size and matches my big brake front dana 30). I'll deal with the shifters being 4" further back, shorten the rear driveshaft, never really had a front shaft, and fab a new crossmember. After looking inside the t-14 and the t-15 i think i'm better off in the long run, it seems beefyer.
     
  8. Nov 9, 2006
    jeepbandit

    jeepbandit New Member

    Ellsworth, N.H.
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    Messages:
    49
    The t-15 is actually a little stronger than the t-14. I had one survive behind a 360 in my cj-5.
     
  9. Nov 9, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    The problem was that its 6" longer from the clutch fork back. I relocated the cross member and clutch bracket and everything works nice. I still have to finish everthing off but it's going together well. I'll try to get some pics up before long.
     
  10. Nov 10, 2006
    pjstud1v

    pjstud1v Member

    Monroe, Mi
    Joined:
    May 31, 2005
    Messages:
    54
    So this is wroking for you now? Don't hesitate to give me a call if you want to reference my '5s for anything 225/t14 related.
     
  11. Nov 10, 2006
    Jeepster1970

    Jeepster1970 Member

    Lincoln park, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Messages:
    55
    Yeah it's working out. I extended the trans cover today, i just have to shorten the driveshaft and i'll be pretty well done. I never really had a front driveshaft so i guess i gotta come up with something there.
     
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