TheSamba.com :: View topic - Can an input shaft be replaced when going from T1 to T4?

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:17 am

Eventually I'd like to go back to a T4 motor and hopefully not have to buy a new transmission.

How difficult would it be to replace the input shaft on my existing transmission?

Thanks in advance

Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:20 pm

I guess I should mention that when T1s are mounted where T4s used to be, the input shaft has to be shortened to make it fit.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:44 pm

Just pretend you are doing a T1 => T4 conversion and have your machinist put the pilot bearing in the flywheel. No need to change the transmission or the input shaft.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:07 pm

here ya go. the only diffrence is the input shaft (untill you get into a 091 bus trany) is the end on the input shaft. in this photo Iam using a old bug shaft so pay on attention to the other end it's what I had for a photo in the shop. the tip is longer on the T4 shorter on the T1. I have seen type 1 engines put on with out changing the shaft this is wrong but has been done. you mite be lucky and the right shift is still there. If not it's eazy to change all that machining is unnecessary there already is the right size pilot bearing in there. just pull the bell housing off take a pair of snap ring pliers pull the ring unscrew the shaft and install the right one.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:33 pm

The shaft can be swapped with the trans in place, not a big job at all.
But the adapted pilot bearing isn't a bad idea either.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:48 pm

Iam unclear on this adapting a pilot bearing is? In my 25 years of trany building I haven't seen it. does someone make some adapted bearing? seems a moot point when all that has to be done is change the input shaft.
It wouldn't be the frist time I haven't seem somthing new.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:52 pm

Thanks guys. This is reassuring. I'm shooting for having a T4 again next summer.

My T1 is running pretty well after all of the work I've put in, but it sure would be nice to have more power for the mountains.

Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:10 pm

bigbore:

If you're lurking around, just wanted to say thanks again. Your explanation has given me some big peace of mind.

I am the proud owner of a T4 motor and will be doing the swap later this week.

Now if I can only find an input shaft somewhere.

Anyone got ideas as to where I can locate one? :)

Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:14 pm

No shit!! Nice score on the T4, where'd ya get it?? Are you gonna leave the T1 in place for the winter and swap in the spring or try and do it now? You'll be happy with the swap...are you gonna go FI or carbs?

Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:27 pm

VDubTech wrote: No shit!! Nice score on the T4, where'd ya get it?? Are you gonna leave the T1 in place for the winter and swap in the spring or try and do it now? You'll be happy with the swap...are you gonna go FI or carbs?

I promise I'll post more about it soon. Out of respect for the owner of the donor bus and my buddies who helped me get it, I've been asked to wait for a while.

We're going to try and get it in within the next 2 weeks. I just have to fix the hacked hole for the AC and also get a new battery tray welded in. Might as well, since I won't have a chance to have a clean engine bay for a long while.

The engine has dual carbs.

Thanks for sending me the mustache bar earlier this year - I really hope I can find a good buyer for the T1, and if I can't, I'll store it until I move to a place with a garage and keep it as a backup.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:00 am

if you need transmission parts check with Steve from Pine Beetles. He's here somewhat local in Pine, CO. We could also unmate the engine from tranny and measure the shaft. In your case it's only 3 bolts holding the two of them together :D

You can also check with Busted Bus, but you've been around me enough to what I think of that idea.

Jon may have some ideas too. Send him a message on FB.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:41 am

pb24ss wrote: if you need transmission parts check with Steve from Pine Beetles. He's here somewhat local in Pine, CO. We could also unmate the engine from tranny and measure the shaft. In your case it's only 3 bolts holding the two of them together :D

You can also check with Busted Bus, but you've been around me enough to what I think of that idea.

Jon may have some ideas too. Send him a message on FB.

Thanks Dan. Couldn't remember which place you mentioned yesterday and I didn't write it down.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:55 am

RIOMX wrote:
Thanks Dan. Couldn't remember which place you mentioned yesterday and I didn't write it down.

you can also call Ken at thebusco. teh googles on the internets for his number

Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:13 pm

Would it be possible to make a "trick" gland nut by welding on an extension of steel tubing and using a bronze bushing?

Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:15 pm

RIOMX wrote: bigbore:

If you're lurking around, just wanted to say thanks again. Your explanation has given me some big peace of mind.

I am the proud owner of a T4 motor and will be doing the swap later this week.

Now if I can only find an input shaft somewhere.

Anyone got ideas as to where I can locate one? :)
I have a few. Want one?

Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:16 pm

Rusty O'Toole wrote: Would it be possible to make a "trick" gland nut by welding on an extension of steel tubing and using a bronze bushing? Why would you go thought all that just change the input shaft.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:18 pm

bigbore wrote: I have a few. Want one?

Hell yes! PM sent.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:38 pm

Rusty O'Toole wrote: Would it be possible to make a "trick" gland nut by welding on an extension of steel tubing and using a bronze bushing?

You don't need a gland nut. You just have the center hole in the flywheel opened up to fit the pilot bearing.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:10 pm

josh wrote: Rusty O'Toole wrote: Would it be possible to make a "trick" gland nut by welding on an extension of steel tubing and using a bronze bushing?

You don't need a gland nut. You just have the center hole in the flywheel opened up to fit the pilot bearing.

Exactly. And you needn't take the transmission apart to do this. And you are quite likely to take the flywheel off anyway to replace the main seal or get it resurfaced or check/adjust the endplay on a new to you motor. And pilot bearings are sold new over the counter at your FLAPS. It is the simpler fix.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:03 am

Let me try to explain this to make it simple. the type 1 engine if you put this engine in a bus that is setup for a type 4 engine the length of the end of the input shaft is too long and can bottom out before the engine is bolted all the way up. If you are putting a type 4 in place of a type 1 the end isn't long enuff to be all the way in the pilot. There is a slite size difference. the shaft for the type 4 engine is smaller this bus which came with a type 4 engine in it now has a type 1 engine in it most likely still has a type 4 shaft still in it see it happen many times before. so just put the type 4 engine in. to change the shaft isn't rockit science it takes about 15 minites just do so its right!!!!!!!!! and its a good time to put a seal in its way eazyer. if that isn't clear enuff there is nothing more I can do to make it clearer.