T-14 Rebuild - Bearing Question

I am rebuilding a T-14 and got the rebuild kit from Rock Auto. I checked with Herm and Novak for a rebuild kit but Herm's turnaround time was too long and Novak is out of stock indefinitely. The Rock Auto kit is from SKF and I was pleased to see that at least one of the bearings were made in the USA. The other was China.

Question I have is the diameters of both bearings center holes where the mainshaft rides are larger than the original bearings. The kit appears to include several sizes of needle bearings, many of which are larger than the originals, which I assume is to compensate for different shaft sizes in trannys that the kit may be used with? Is this the way these kits are usually put together?

Hopefully this makes sense.

Thanks, Andy

 

Hi. Yes I understand but the bearing thing does not make sense. You do mean the big input and output bearings? Realize that the T-15 was also offered in '74 with the V8 and likely has larger bearings. Could be the wrong kit. This may be why RockAuto could supply a kit while Herm or Novak could not.

Small parts kits often contain extra pieces so that they cover more applications with one kit. This is more economical for the seller. Use a micrometer and match the diameter of the old parts to the new parts in the kit. And! You are not required to use all the parts.

You at least need a vernier caliper to work on one of these transmissions, and a micrometer would be better. https://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-MICROMETER-Precision-Machinist/dp/B0045VKF5K/ref=sr_1_5

You may be stuck with a Chinese input bearing unless you search by the bearing number with various bearing suppliers, and that only might be successfull. You could also call the Crown warehouse in Canton MA and ask. They will sell to you directly (being in MA). Likely everybody other than Herm and Novak are selling the Crown kit anyway (maybe Novak too). It will have Chinese bearings - check for smoothness on arrival. Quadratec is the largest Crown outlet - look there too. Also try Parts Mike in California.

Input bearing is a Jeep 941658 --> RockAuto <-- Compare measurements to your existing bearing!
Output bearing is a Jeep 992289

JMO - to refresh one of these transmissions from normal wear, my feeling is you could replace the blocking rings and input bearing and call it done. New thrust washers, perhaps. Given that RockAuto shows both an SKF and Timken, I'd probably get that and then get blocking rings and small parts from the Canton warehouse. Wash the output bearing gently in 100% new clean solvent, feel it turn, and possibly reuse it. Be sure the RockAuto measurements for 941658 in their listing match your bearing! Wash and mic the roller bearings and put them back.

Amazon.com: Lubegard 19250 Dr. Tranny Assemblee Goo, Green, Firm Tack Lubricant, 16 oz.: Automotive

ALSO - there's an oil seal in the bearing retainer. I'd replace that, Jeep 941664 SKF 11123 Input Shaft Seal | RockAuto

 

Thanks for the detailed response Tim. To answer your question yes, I am referring to the large input and output bearings.

I took another look today and realized that the bearings themselves are nowhere near the same size as the originals so, this is obviously the wrong kit. I confirmed that by going on SKF's website and referencing the kit number. Apparently this kit is for a T-18...

To clarify Novak told me they were out of stock with no date on restocking. Herm had them but he does not accept electronic payments so it would have been a couple weeks before it arrived and I was hoping to get this reassembled this weekend. Obviously that is not going to happen.

I may go the route you have suggested with Crown and the Timken bearings so thanks again for all those links!

The funny thing is that there was really nothing wrong with this transmission except for a leak. However, I had it out and I thought with my luck something would fail if I did not service it and I'd wind up taking it out again, which is a huge pain. The inside is immaculate and everything is in very good shape, so to your point about replacing the bearings, blocking rings and calling it done sounds about right.