Novak T90 Master Rebuild Kit

I managed to score a Novak Master Rebuild Kit off eBay for $50 including shipping. Parts for the T90 Transmission (novak-adapt.com)

I was concerned that some of the parts may have been swapped out when I saw Omix part numbers for some of the small parts. I contacted Novak and they confirmed that the small parts in the kit were from Omix. No big deal, it is just a couple pieces, but I was surprised when they indicated that the second gear was also from Omix.

With prices rising and quality parts getting harder to find, I already ordered just about every other component as NOS US made military surplus from QTM as well as a surplus supplier I have delt with before. A couple parts from QTM were recent non-US manufacture but I trust are quality. I think the cluster gear is from Israel.

If I'm going to rebuild it, I just want to replace everything. I already know there is pitting from water intrusion. 

I have been collecting parts for a while when I stumble across a good price. I have one of QTM’s surplus military shift towers and a bunch of NOS engine parts. I don’t plan to rebuild this transmission anytime soon but since everything is going up, I would rather buy them now and have them sit in the attic.

My concern now is second gear. Most of us have a negative experience with an Omix part. For those who have installed this kit, what was your experience? Did you, or do you wish, that the Omix gear not be used. Any other issues with the kit?

Thanks,

Micah

Man you basically stole that rebuild! Did you leave the man his shirt at least?

I bought this kit a year or so ago.  It was very high quality - IMO.  But I had already purchased a new 2nd gear from www.armyjeepparts.com because I knew it needed to be replaced before I found out there was a full kit.  George is rock solid and sold me a NoS.  There is something about taking those parts out of their original packaging - covered in cosmoline, and installing them.  Very satisfying.

I would point out that IF there is going to be a problem with a T-90 transmission, it will first show up as a problem with second gear. While it is true that the main reason for this is a problem with the endplay in the mainshaft during a rebuild, I personally would want the best quality second gear available in my transmission. You will pay a little more for quality, but consider the PITA that taking a defective gear out of a freshly rebuilt transmission that was just put back into service and failed. OMIX-ADA gears might be OK, but I have seen enough problems with their parts not to take a chance that they are OK. Omix-ADA quality control from their vendors is non-existant. Omix-ADA does not manufacture parts, they market them. They do not check the quality of the parts they market and allow almost fit parts to be sold. Dimensional problems, wrong threads, etc.

Novak is using Omix-ADA parts in their line to fill in the gaps in coverage because historically reliable parts from gear companies are getting hard to source now. Perhaps Novak is doing the quality control checks that they purchase from Omix-ADA, and if they are I might consider purchases from Novak. If Novak is smart they would be sure of their vendors reliability. If I could be assured that Omix-ADA had a good quality control program in place for their vendors I might not be so leery of their replacement parts. I have been burned too many times by Omix-ADA parts that are not up to OEM specifications as to dimensions or in the case of gearing the Rockwell hardness of the gear teeth.

Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary...

Edited by SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A - 13 Jan. 2022 at 2:57pm

I found out that after rebuilding my T90 that after it was all said and done with the Novak parts that it might be more cost effective to purchase a complete rebuilt one from Herm. I enjoyed doing the work and found satisfaction in doing it myself but for the price I think it would have been a wash. Maybe I’m wrong in my thinking but I don’t know. 

So, I think I will find a NOS second gear just to be safe. I think the synchros are also Omix. I have a new hub and syncros already coming from QTM. I'll put the gear and synchros on eBay and hopefully get back what I paid for the whole kit. For what I paid for the kit, I cannot complain, but I would be disappointed to find Omix parts in there if I was paying full price. Novak does not indicate this on the website.

I did. That is how I know some of the small parts and second gear is Omix. See first post. I sent the request before I purchased. I sent the email because I could see what looked like an Omix part number in the eBay photo. It took them a while to respond. By then, I purchased because it was too good of a deal to pass up. 

Edited by Steelyard Blues - 15 Jan. 2022 at 12:39pm