A little stuck on a T-18 ID

[Captain Ledd]

So I finally bothered to pull my transmission on DEATHTRAP and at least look at it, preferably rebuild it, the kits were only ~$200 so I figured what the hell...

Novak offers 2 kits that I have narrowed down to as being my transmission:

1979-1982 master rebuild kit
1983-1991+ master rebuild kit

This is where I'm stuck, as I can't find anything definitive as to which of those years I have. This is what I've found:

13-01-065-807 < Case# It is indeed a '79+ T18
13-01-097-809 < Cover No other information present

Reverse is Over and down (also pointing to '79+)

Cast Aluminum shift forks - Yet again, '79+

I was told it came out of an '86 F250, I did not see the vehicle or removal

Cast Iron bearing retainer - way too heavy to be aluminum, and wrong color. Also later I checked it with a magnet and it is indeed cast iron.

The later ones ('83-91) shouldn't have the cast iron retainer, but an aluminum one, though supposedly they can be interchanged. Since I never saw what it came out of, there's no telling what it's actually from, but supposedly it's the later unit ('86) from what I was told.

Is there any way to tell for sure, I don't want to get 1/2 way through my rebuild and find that I have a few parts different/missing.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Update:

Ended up giving Novak a call and after about 15 minutes it was concluded that the only difference between the kits was in fact the front input retainer and some of it's specific components. And everything else should be the same between the two.

Kit, T18 master rebuild, Ford & Jeep, 1979-1982
Part: #T18MR-3F

Kit, T18 master rebuild, 1983-1991+ Ford
Part: #T18MR-4F

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Reverse is Over and down (also pointing to '79+)

Some late 78's had this configuration.

later,
Dustin