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buick to t90 prob?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005.

  1. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
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    Dec 23, 2004
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    Has any one had this prob. with buick (231) to T90? I bolted it all together (231 to bellhousinig to adapter to tranny/transfercase) and it went smooth. I then installed it in the jeep (cj2a) and noticed the tranny is tilted up on drivers side (or down on pass. side) 1/4 in. I rechecked the bolts (for possible adjustments and its all tight with no possible adjustment to be had). Could the prob. be my adapter? I think most likely its a bad bellhousing !
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #1
  2. Jul 3, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    a 1/4 inch ? I dont think it is much of a problem. Only issue i can think of maybe is you will wear the tranny mount a bit more, but i see no problem running it like that. As for a bad bellhousing, there probably isnt a problem. The motor has two nub that protrude out and index on the bellhousing. so if the housing isnt cracked really bad, it should be fine.
     
    DanStew, Jul 3, 2005
    #2
  3. Jul 3, 2005
    gte636p

    gte636p Member

    smyrna, Ga
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    the engine conversion might be a 1/4 inch off?
     
    gte636p, Jul 3, 2005
    #3
  4. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2004
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    I checked engine conversion mounts and engine is inline, mounts are even and engine is as close to square as it can be. As you can see in the pics the engine looks even but the tranny is twisted to the right with left side high. Might be closer to 3/8 in. off. I just dont want to have the bellhousing fail under torque on the trail !?! And i keep reading about how it is important to have drivetrain in line. D/T parts wear out faster!?!

    Should i find a better bellhousing or just put a spacer on the high side and run it? If it might be a prob. later i would like to nip it in the butt now and save time and $$. Or will it even be a prob. at all?

    THX for any help!
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #4
  5. Jul 3, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'd be thinking the adapter's the culprit.
     
    Glenn, Jul 3, 2005
    #5
  6. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
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    the adapter seems square on the tranny and bellhousing. But none the less it could be the prob? How can you check it?
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #6
  7. Jul 3, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    To me the adapter doesn't look square with the bellhousing. The mounting bolt on the left side appears to be lower on the adapter than the right side one. Is it supposed to be that way?
     
    Glenn, Jul 3, 2005
    #7
  8. Jul 3, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    look at the last pic, the tranny mount looks to be ****ed. is the crossmember original or homemade. that may be off and is putting everything else out of whack also
     
    DanStew, Jul 3, 2005
    #8
  9. Jul 3, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Tranny is definitely crooked. Either tranny bolt holes are off or the adapter to bellhousing holes are off.
     
    Glenn, Jul 3, 2005
    #9
  10. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
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    The left bolt might be slightly lower then the right bolt (good eye). I think that might be normal.??. Also, the left side is the side that is high, not the right. (looking @ the pic from left to right) I just wouldn't think the bellhousing and/or adapter plate would be off that much (to the point of needing a spacer @ the tranny mount on left side). Without a spacer i think the tranny mount will fail after a short time.

    Thanks Glenn
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #10
  11. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
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    The crossmember is original. I have another crossmember and checked it out both have the same gap. so i think that the crossmember is good and right. thanks
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #11
  12. Jul 3, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    I would guess and say the adapter is the problem.
    I offer no proof, other than what has already been mentioned.
     
    jpflat2a, Jul 3, 2005
    #12
  13. Jul 3, 2005
    181jeep

    181jeep Banned

    central valley, ca
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    What did the bell housing come from?? I believe some were clocked a little to move the shifter away from the driver in some small cars. If that isn't the case I would agree that the adaptor is the culprit. Get a set of those custom, offset bolts...haha.

    JB
     
    181jeep, Jul 3, 2005
    #13
  14. Jul 3, 2005
    Spicolli

    Spicolli jeep geek

    So. Cal.
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    doya got any of the custom, offset bolts on hand haha! i think i can fix it with a torch just fine!! hehe

    I have never heard of that offset before. The bellhousing and adapter came from Archer Brothers in Hayward dont know what the bellhousing came from.

    Should i take it apart and replace one/the other or both. or will it be OK to let it alone and run it the way it is?
     
    Spicolli, Jul 3, 2005
    #14
  15. Jul 3, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I vote run it the way it is. it is only bout 1/4 inch differnce. nothing that bad in my opinion. yeah you may have to change mounts sooner but that wont be for a few years, oil from the leaky gear boxes will most liekly destroy long before the 1/4 inch does damage.
     
    DanStew, Jul 3, 2005
    #15
  16. Jul 4, 2005
    67cj5

    67cj5 Member

    Oregon
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    Have you considered elongating the holes in the adapter? Might give you the 1/4 inch you need.
     
    67cj5, Jul 4, 2005
    #16
  17. Jul 4, 2005
    181jeep

    181jeep Banned

    central valley, ca
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    I don't think it would take much to talk myself into running it the way it is. Shim one side of the tranny mount to ease stress on the rubber. You'd probabally never be able to notice it when all together.

    JB
     
    181jeep, Jul 4, 2005
    #17
  18. Jul 4, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If the adapter bolt pattern is off like discussed that would cause the lean as it is. But I agree it shouldn't hurt anything other than fluid levels. If checked and filled on an even surface the tranny would have slightly more oil and the t-case would have slightly less oil than normal.
     
    Glenn, Jul 4, 2005
    #18
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