Cutting 4 speed input shaft

Posted By: W5Duster436

Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 12:53 AM

It appears I am going to have to take off about .500 from my trans input shaft to work with this crank. Is this something that any reputable machine shop should be able to do?

Posted By: dcr

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:04 AM

I have a trans here that looks like it was done with a hacksaw or cut off wheel and beveled with a grinder was in car for many years with no problems but you will need proper pilot bushing I believe there is a p/n in the tech archives and it is still available through mopar

Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:09 AM

i did mine with a grinder tapered back the edges all is good

Posted By: RUNCHARGER

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:16 AM

I chopped my 18 spline off with a cutoff wheel then dressed it with a grinder. You can get bushing BR287 from Napa to make it all work.

Sheldon

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:22 AM

Quote:

I chopped my 18 spline off with a cutoff wheel then dressed it with a grinder. You can get bushing BR287 from Napa to make it all work.

Sheldon

Or get the input bearing for a mid-late 90's truck 5 speed (dealer part# 53009180AB). It fits into the crank where the hub of the torque converter normally is. It taps in with a hammer and has a nice roller bearing with a rubber seal lip on it to keep the garbage out. Best thing is, it works great for shortened input shafts as it rides farther back than where the normal bushing rides. Good luck.

Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:28 AM

Wayne had already given me the correct bushing as my input shaft was worn a bit on the end. Good to go there but just want to make sure a machine shop can cut it without taking the trans apart. I don't trust myself doing it that's for sure..

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:46 AM

You can cut it with a cut-off wheel and dress it with an angle grinder when done.No big deal

I had to cut my Richmond shaft because the Eagle cranks are not drilled deep enough(mine wasn't anyway)
Gus

Posted By: RobX4406

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 01:47 AM

No machine shop required. I've seen some that look like a drunk monkey cut them. Not even close to square and they ran fine.

Just dress/bevel the leading edge and you're fine

Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 02:01 AM

I may have a drunk monkey around here somewhere.

Posted By: wheelsup68dart

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/25/09 02:16 AM

Quote:

No machine shop required. I've seen some that look like a drunk monkey cut them. Not even close to square and they ran fine.

Just dress/bevel the leading edge and you're fine

Agreed, "hicup"

I did my own with cutoff wheel and grinder and all is well, does not need to be scienced out or that precise.

Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/27/09 12:38 AM

Well finally got out in the garage today after downing some turkey and stuck a dowel rod down to the crank and measured. It was exactly 9" to the back of the bellhousing and from the surface of the trans to the tip of the input shaft was a tad over 8 so there is enough space. Just can't figure out what could have been keeping it from going all the way in other than the adapter ring on the trans to fit the larger hole on the lakewood. Went right in the last time though..

Posted By: DemonDust

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/27/09 05:39 AM

Did the clutch maybe move?

I had this happen to me once. I fought and fought with the trans on my chest trying to get it all the way in, it just wouldn't go. Finally after I was so angry

I decided to check the alignment...... It was off by a hair...

Trans went right in after that.....

Posted By: W5Duster436

Re: Cutting 4 speed input shaft - 11/27/09 03:26 PM

Quote:

Did the clutch maybe move?

I had this happen to me once. I fought and fought with the trans on my chest trying to get it all the way in, it just wouldn't go. Finally after I was so angry I decided to check the alignment...... It was off by a hair...

Trans went right in after that.....

Well I had thought that too but it is only 1/4 - 3/8" from going all the way in. It would have already been through both discs at that point. I am going to check the adapter ring today to make sure the holding washer didn't go over the edge or something silly.