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Great thank you for all the great info one last question does anyone know of a way to be sure if my 3b h55f input shaft has 26 teeth without taking the top plate off?
1984 bj42 h55f input shaft question
- Thread starter seventysixers
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I don't think the tooth count could possibly be different on an H55F.
all H55's have the same tooth count, you just can't take an early input and drop it into a late transmission. The front bearing and the c clip (on shaft not the large on on bearing) are different.
H41's are non US 4 speeds with low range first gears. The later H41's that take a split case use the H55 input. I know of only two late H41's in the US (one is NOS Bj75 in a crate).
as an aside there are two early H41's which Amauri knows well since he has laid hands on them and I only learned info from him about those beasts.
H41's are non US 4 speeds with low range first gears. The later H41's that take a split case use the H55 input. I know of only two late H41's in the US (one is NOS Bj75 in a crate).
as an aside there are two early H41's which Amauri knows well since he has laid hands on them and I only learned info from him about those beasts.
As long as we are dealing with the same gear tooth count (26t for H55f & 24t H42f), it is possible to install a late model input shaft into an early transmission. Also possible to go the other way around, early shaft into late model transmission.
I've attached some photos that hopefully will help make it easier to explain.
First off, what do we mean by early vs. late model transmission?
As already mentioned, late model can be recognized by the two ears you can see on the input shaft retainer cover, see photo #1.
Photo #2 shows the difference between late and early input shafts.
Mainly the wider bearing and the larger sealing surface.
Since it is becoming difficult to find the early shaft, I've successfully installed the late style shaft into early trannys by placing a hardened steel shim between the main bearing and the shaft.
Naturally, I used the old style bearing on the new style shaft, the shim just makes up the difference and positions the shaft in the right place to correctly mesh with the counter gear.
Late style bearing is 92 x 40 x 25.4
Old style bearing is 90 x 40 x 23
Looking a photo #3, you can see that there is also a difference in the OD where the seal is pressed into the retainer.
Late style retainer is 48mm
Early style retainer is 43mm
So the trick is to go to a bearing supply house and ask for a seal that has a 32mm ID and 43mm OD.
I've attached some photos that hopefully will help make it easier to explain.
First off, what do we mean by early vs. late model transmission?
As already mentioned, late model can be recognized by the two ears you can see on the input shaft retainer cover, see photo #1.
Photo #2 shows the difference between late and early input shafts.
Mainly the wider bearing and the larger sealing surface.
Since it is becoming difficult to find the early shaft, I've successfully installed the late style shaft into early trannys by placing a hardened steel shim between the main bearing and the shaft.
Naturally, I used the old style bearing on the new style shaft, the shim just makes up the difference and positions the shaft in the right place to correctly mesh with the counter gear.
Late style bearing is 92 x 40 x 25.4
Old style bearing is 90 x 40 x 23
Looking a photo #3, you can see that there is also a difference in the OD where the seal is pressed into the retainer.
Late style retainer is 48mm
Early style retainer is 43mm
So the trick is to go to a bearing supply house and ask for a seal that has a 32mm ID and 43mm OD.
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The plan was to get a new H55, swap in a new 3B input shaft and close it up with the bearing retainer off the hi-miles H55 out of the customer's BJ70. It's all done except the old trans is a 1985, so it doesn't have bigger bearing retainer. The biggest problem is the '85 bearing retainer doesn't cover the oiling holes in the front of the transmission case.
The options I've come up with so far:
The options I've come up with so far:
- Buy new front retainer (Discontinued by Mr. T, Foiled again!)
- Move all the new H55 guts, extension housing, shifter cover into the 1985 transmission case, and re-use the 85 input gear & retainer.
- Tap & plug oil holes in new transmission case, install 85 retainer w/ spacer washer & hybrid seal.
- ???.... Profit!
Did you figure this out yet, @FJ40Jim?
I'm exploring the possibility/feasibility of pulling an early 3B ('82BJ42) input shaft, and swap it for any available variant 2F input shaft, be it H41, H42, H55.
Whisper sweet Cruiserthings in my ear, tell me how great of an idea it is and how easy it's gonna be, please.
I'm exploring the possibility/feasibility of pulling an early 3B ('82BJ42) input shaft, and swap it for any available variant 2F input shaft, be it H41, H42, H55.
Whisper sweet Cruiserthings in my ear, tell me how great of an idea it is and how easy it's gonna be, please.
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Yes, alberto's H55 dilemma was solved with a good used 1988 BJ75 input retainer from a wrecked mine truck at G&S cruisers.
If it is still available, the direct swap for you is a 81-84 H41/H55 input gear w/ F splines. Any 74-84 F bearing retainer will work.
If it is still available, the direct swap for you is a 81-84 H41/H55 input gear w/ F splines. Any 74-84 F bearing retainer will work.
Sorry for the thread revival, but the info here is very relevant.
I've got an input shaft from an early h55 that needs to go in a late h55. Both are the proper length/spline. From what I can tell above I'm going to need a new bearing and a new seal, but not certain what diameters. Anything else I need to watch out for? I haven't pulled it apart yet, but will be shortly.
cc @cruiseroutfit
I've got an input shaft from an early h55 that needs to go in a late h55. Both are the proper length/spline. From what I can tell above I'm going to need a new bearing and a new seal, but not certain what diameters. Anything else I need to watch out for? I haven't pulled it apart yet, but will be shortly.
cc @cruiseroutfit
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