Jeep CJ7 Update 51 - Mounting the AX15 to the Chevrolet 350

[@philliporne2287]

Just finished doing the swap on my 87 YJ and this video is extremely helpful

[@JDOffline]

Glad it was helpful!! You'll love the combination and the transmission is great and has handled my motor with no issues. JD

[@VLEEZY1]

Bout to install a 4.3L v6 into my YJ. This video is great. Really appreciate you for sharing. Thx. Enjoy your Jeep

[@JDOffline]

Thanks, glad you liked it. JD

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Love the details! I will be doing the same except for the engine type on mine. Thanks for including the difficulties. Seeing them is very helpful.

[@JDOffline]

UCanDoIt2 Thanks Mike. Make sure you get the right pilot bushing and clutch alignment tool! It will save you some time. The Dana 300 went on fairly easy...video to follow soon. Saw that you just finished your rebuild on it. I’m excited to see your Jeep come together as well.

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

I fully understand the Clutch alignment tool issue. It makes complete sense and I would not have initially thought about the difference. That was a great "Experience" adjustment. The Pilot bearing for my 5.3 is a different animal. The inner diameter is like yours, but the outer diameter is different. The alignment tool issue would still be relevant. Looks like it is time to open an account with Novak! Expecting it to be an experience like a medium IV drip.

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Could you contact me @ [e-mail] for some detailed questions?

[@JDOffline]

@@UCanDoIt2Mike Haha...yeah Novak is not a cheap resource!! I'm sure you will work through it given how far you have come with your drivetrain.

[@tomdonnelly611]

Well done John, persistence overcomes all great obstacles! Plz keep the videos coming!

[@JDOffline]

Thank you Tom!! More videos are coming soon. Thanks for your support.

[@zynaquinn686]

I've done many of engine swaps, hell, when I was 15 my first car had a 514in Cadillac and turbo 425, and it was a 71 Nova.... Anyway, I'm actually doing a YJ ax15 to a 5.7 vortec roller motor.... If you ever run into problems where you don't have an alignment tool, what you can do in a pinch, is weld a couple of old sockets together. If you have a big junk pile of beater sockets like I do, you can just find the right outside diameters and make your own. Many times I've actually had to use longer bolts in the bellhousing and leave it 1 in from the motor, and just stabbed the clutch pedal, and it goes in.

[@JDOffline]

Thanks for that insight. JD

[@randygriffin5701]

Jd I wanted to say I’m a welder and millwright at a paper mill where live there is nothing so satisfying to have great friends to help you out . I was going to put 33s on mine when I bought this Jeep there was no rust on it it was in a dry barn for 10 years when I found it . The man that had it was older and had no plans to do anything with it as far as him . I do all kinds of side work the way I found it was I do ac work on houses and his outside unit went out and I just happened to have one that still had the warranty on it and we traded the unit for the Jeep it had 30 axle on front 20 on the back I had two 44s that’s on it now I also put 38 Mickey Thomson’s on it it drives like its on rails d300 transfer case and a Ford 435 four speed transmission with granny first gear . And I had it painted ford blue but I love red like yours sorry about so long I’m not bragging just telling you some of the things I’ve done to it . What I was going to say before I went on and on was there is no better feeling to ride around and just about every one has there thumbs up .and when you stop at a store just to grab something real quick and end up having to talk to three or four people about all the things I done to it you’re going to have to do the same thing cause that Jeep you have is bad ass to be safe

[@JDOffline]

Randy that's a great story and appreciate you sharing. People have done that to me as well and will certainly do it more now when they hear the Jeep. Looking forward to getting it back together!

[@jimjohnston3188]

This is really starting to come together. Terrific job.

[@JDOffline]

Jim Johnston Thanks Jim!! I’m pretty excited to get it running and back on the road!!

[@jimjohnston3188]

JD Offline Hey JD, turns out I have a significant issue with the transmission on my CJ. Are the people at Novak helpful to people who know virtually nothing (me) about transmissions? Jim

[@JDOffline]

Jim Johnston Jim my experience w Novak has been very good. They have a ton of information on their website alone and you can also call tech support for any specific questions you have. They’ve always told me to avoid calling on Monday’s due to call volume. Can’t hurt to give them a call and ask your questions. They sell all rebuilt and new transmissions as well. My guess is it would be cheaper to rebuild yourself though if you can. Looking back I wish I had rebuilt myself! Good luck Jim.

[@jimjohnston3188]

JD Offline Turns out my transmission is an SR4, which is not a good match for a V8 engine. So even rebuilding it would be a waste of time. Called several transmission shops in my area and none were interested in working on my Jeep. Probably going to contact Novak and get exact transmission and parts I need and try to get a 4x4 shop to install it. Thanks Jim

[@JDOffline]

@@jimjohnston3188 Jim, I agree you need to upgrade. Talk to Novak, they will guide you down the right path. Good luck and let us know!

[@jasonallen54321]

Great video John, I’ve watched All of your videos as you were putting them out but I wanted to revisit this one because I am installing an AX15 in my 1984 CJ7 and I am using all of the Novak parts. Everything seems to be working fine except the clutch master cylinder/slave cylinder don’t seem to be strong enough to Disengage. When you installed yours for the first time was the clutch pedal easy to push and easy to operate? If not where there are some adjustments that you had to make? Thanks in advance.

[@JDOffline]

I had no issues with my hydraulic clutch except for bleeding it but we eventually got that figured out. If it's a Novak set up give them a call, their tech support is great. Make sure you double nut your master cylinder or use loctite, I had a problem with mine coming unbolted from the firewall from the pressure. You will love the transmission, hopefully you already got it figured out and are enjoying it. Glad the video helped. JD

[@jasonlenihan9854]

Great video. Will be doing the same thing to my 85 cj7. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Did you find Novak easy to work with. What was your experience like when dealing with them. Thanks again

[@JDOffline]

jason lenihan Jason Novak has been great to work with. Pretty responsive and have had no issues. A little delay getting my headers but that’s about it. Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad the videos helped.

[@jasonlenihan9854]

⁠@@JDOffline Hi JD it’s been a few years , and I still have not done my swap because of some back surgeries I’ve had, but they went good and I’m doing well, been to busy catching up on hunting and fishing with my girls. Sorry but now to my question, how has your swap been doing? And was curious to how you’re liking that ax-15 transmission? I have a mildly built 350 and I know you probably have some good miles on that trans so was curious as to what you think of it and or how it going after 4 yrs. Thanks again Jason from Snohomish Wa.👍

[@JDOffline]

@@jasonlenihan9854 man I had to have back surgery as well. I had full fusion surgery for a broken vertebrae. That’s the main reason I haven’t been making videos. Plus we built a house and moved so my plan is to start making videos again soon. Maybe in the next month or so. Anyway the ax15 has been great no regrets w the set up. I’ve only driven the Jeep about 500 miles since I finished and so far no issues. I don’t take it out very often and the last year and a half I’ve been dealing w the move and my back so it’s taken a back burner for sure. I hate it but gotta get healthy! Hope your surgeries went well and you recover fully. JD

[@ryanhickey6812]

Hey! Can you tell all the parts you have for the clutch system? I have a TJ 2001 and I can't find one that works + pushes the throwout bearing... its like its not strong enough! Its literally the last step I need to figure out... 350 SM Chev (same as yours) same bellhousing too! TIA

[@JDOffline]

Hey Ryan, I have a hydraulic clutch set up and ordered it all from Novak Conversions. I would give them a call and they can recommend a unit for your build. I've had zero issues out of my set up once we got the hydraulic clutch bled which was kind of a pain. Hope this helps. JD

[@jseb2847]

thanks ... i'm starting on my jeep a 1991 v8 5.7 chevy motor into my 2008 Jk i think i'll cal Novac too

[@JDOffline]

They are a great resource. Good luck with your swap. JD

[@grumpy1962R]

I’m looking at a 65 CJ5. Would I use the same stuff on a 4.3 GM or a 1965 283?

[@JDOffline]

Good question, I'm not expert enough to answer though. Check out Novak conversions website, they have a lot of excellent information on there about their transmissions and compatibility with other motors etc. JD

[@Big_e_outdoors]

What input shaft did you use to marry up to the Chevy 350 clutch?

[@JDOffline]

I wish I could tell you specifically. I bought the ax15 transmission from Novak conversions so they may be able to tell you if you give them a call. Sorry I just don't remember as that's been some years ago! JD

[@k_hort_gaming4615]

What fly wheel and clutch plate and friction disk did you use?

[@JDOffline]

Contact Novak Conversions they can help you. I would but I'm not sure of the exact specs on those. JD

[@someoneoutthere1866]

You are going to have this running in no time at all

[@JDOffline]

Someone OutThere Thanks!!! Still have a way to go w the wiring and everything else. I’m guessing a month or two! I’m pretty excited to get it fired up!

[@valuri9017]

Have you taken a look at the conversion for your clutch pedal, since you are going from a linkage transmission to a hydraulic one I am trying to figure this out myself I know it’s been done plenty of times but there is limited information on the web about it

[@JDOffline]

V Aluri Yes! Coming up in a video shortly. I feel pretty good about the set up using the factory pedals.

[@valuri9017]

JD Offline that’s exactly how I would want it, can’t wait to hear about your solution

[@aydenyaws4047]

Which clutch did you use im looking to do this myself

[@JDOffline]

Novak Conversions supplied the clutch and transmission. They recommended a certain one and I don’t remember which one they recommended. I’m sure if you call them or check out their website they can recommend the right one for you. Sorry I couldn’t be more help. JD

[@brandonpfeifer1612]

What clutch/clutch fork did you use??

[@JDOffline]

Hey Brandon, honestly, I don't remember. Novak conversions put together the package for me with adapters, bell housing, clutch, clutch fork, etc. I'm sure it's just a standard 350 clutch. Hope this helps, wish I had more info. JD

[@shadetreedesigns]

So much for him doing it in his sleep. Maybe you should have a bed close by, so he could sleep. It would not have taken so many times to get a transmission put on.

[@JDOffline]

If you work on these projects they never go as planned. Things always take longer than expected. JD

[@Lray4x4]

How much HP does that 350 have and how has the AX15 held up?

[@JDOffline]

The motor is rated by GM to have 357 horsepower and believe me, it will move that Jeep faster than you want to go in an old Jeep! The AX15 has held up well so far. No issues and no complaints. JD

[@Lray4x4]

@@JDOffline That's good to know is it a stock AX15? I am putting one behind a Dodge 360 that will have around 300hp.

[@JDOffline]

@@Lray4x4 I bought mine from Novak Conversions brand new. They say it has "every possible upgrade" but how far off from stock that is I'm not sure. Maybe check out their web page or give them a call if you want to. I'm honestly not too rough on mine and it doesn't get driven a lot but you shouldn't have any issues, it's a fairly stout transmission, shifts smooth and feels well built. Hope this helps and good luck! JD

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Currently looking at a 1990 Jeep that has a Chevy 400 & 5 speed, the guy DOESN'T have ANY of the conversion info, where the parts came from and any part numbers or instructions, I want to verify the kit used in it in case I should ever need to replace stuff, his bell housing has the clutch bell housing arm on the passenger side different than yours.

[@JDOffline]

Hey Numa. Well that certainly would make me skeptical as well. How does it run? Any documentation on motor/transmission/transfer case? I wonder what price he is asking (the higher the price the more information and documentation I would expect). If the price seems crazy low, it may have issues but hard to say. And no knowledge of the conversion (even if this guy didn't do it, you would think he would have gotten this info from whoever he purchased it from). I assume it has a hydraulic clutch with a hydraulic line that I guess would go over the engine (behind the distributor) and then down to the bellhousing and shift fork? Sounds like an odd set up to me. I went through Novak conversions for all my conversion parts and I'm sure if you talked to them about the specs and what you are seeing, they could give you some wisdom on the set up and parts, etc. One thing to consider in making your decision is you're reaching out for other's thoughts so it seems like you have a doubt already. I normally go with my gut when I feel that way. Let us know what choice you make and please understand, I'm not trying to influence that choice either way, just pointing out a few things from my perspective. Hope this helps. JD

[@mikestone3493]

What pilot bushing did u use one for chevy or jeep ?

[@JDOffline]

@@mikestone3493 we used the one that Novak conversions sent us w the adapters etc. may want to give them a call if you’re matching up a Chevy to a Jeep transmission.

[@mikestone3493]

@@JDOffline Thanks yeah I'm going a chevy 355 to a ax15 transmission .

[@JDOffline]

@@mikestone3493 Mike I looked up the part number for the pilot bushing and it is PB-3901357 "bushing, pilot, GM Gen I-III (1955-2000) cranks to Jeep T14, T15, T18 and AX15" This is the Novak part number so not sure if it is a universal part number but this should get you closer!! Good luck you will love the combo and power!! Remember you have to drill out the bellhousing bolts where it attaches to the transmission and put the bolts in the opposite way you would think or the bolts will conflict/hit the side of the ax15. If you contact Novak, they have instructions for attaching the transmission and they are great. Look into their adjustable throw out bearing as well. I believe they can send them to you or send me an email at [e-mail] and I think I have them and can email them to you. I cover this all pretty thoroughly in this video as well! JD

[@blownaway4371]

MAN..! Not good packaging. For what they charge, it should come with EVERYTHING!!

[@JDOffline]

Can't disagree but I have to say Novak was great to work with minus this set back. Would be nice if they kept a library of their instructions online or something where you could access them. JD

[@blownaway4371]

@JDOffline Yes. They have a large knowledge base. But maybe for "legal" purposes they refer to their site(?) I'm going through 'challenges' swapping out a simple NV3550 to AX5 then to AX-15. Didn't know there were different kinds of "metric" bellhousings. And I didn't scribe on them what they came from. Same with the driveshafts. So it's a big puzzle 🤔