Transmission cleaning
 

Got back on my 60 falcon after taking it apart 12 years ago , motor cleaned and painted but there is so much grease on the transmission I have scraped and sprayed it several times but still not clean . When I took it out it was working ok with a little hard shift into second but wondered if there is a product that will take away grime . Thanks for any help on cleaning or any other advice before I put it back in .

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Steam or pressure washing would be the quickest. Be sure to plug any openings like the breather, dry any exposed unpainted metal thoroughly and spray it with WD-40. I don't know of any chemicals that will work as fast. I once carved a transmission from a big chunk of solidified grease and dirt, must have been about 10 lbs of it. Took most of a day.

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Thanks , I wished there was a better way but I guess now that I have scraped down to the baked on stuff I will break out the pressure washer and try to get down to metal .

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

X2 on the scrape and pressure wash. Final clean with some mineral spirits or kerosene and a brush then pressure wash that away. It is going to be very hard to keep all of the water out of it; be sure to tape up the vent and filler tubes, the cooling line fittings and front and rear seals and then keep the high pressure water away from those areas. If you open it up to be sure nothing has intruded, be nice to the filter as they are very hard to impossible to find. Recommend just thoroughly clean the one you have.

A friction modifier may help that shift. I am assuming it is the aluminum case 2 speed automatic.

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Yes it is the 2 speed aluminum body . I didn't know until today that parts are getting hard to find for it . I believe I will take my time and get it cleaned up good . Being aluminum I would guess there is no need for any paint on it . I have never added any fluid to in or the torque converter , would the mexcron fluid be the one for that type ?

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

I think I'd check with a reputable rebuilder for a fluid recommendation. ATF has gotten very confusing as to what works in any given transmission.

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

That's what I've found , says not to mix with different brands . Hope to drain it all out and refill when I find out what is best to replace with . Thanks for all the help .

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Try spraying the outside of the trans with either simple green or Castrol super cleaner, use full strength . put it on heavy, wait about 5-10 min. then use the pressure washer ,or even a garden hose with plenty of pressure. it works pretty good if you have already scraped the worst of the grease, grime, and dirt off.

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

I used Krud Kutter on the bottom of my floor pan and frame. Must have had a 1/2" of grease in places. I scraped most off first, nothing would cut that thickness of grime.

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Thanks for the info , I am back to small brush and krudcutter . I think now the best thing is take the time and get the hard stuff off with elbow grease .

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

as far as atf, it originally used type F

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Finally got it clean , did find purple power to clean off final dirt and grease . I am draining it all the way down and torque converter . My 1960 shop manual say with transmission out and a total drain to put in 5 quarts and go thru gears after reinstall before adding last quart . Should I put some fluid back in torque converter before installing it or will it fill after installing .

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

I like to pour in a quart or more, but I've seen them installed dry without a problem too

Re: Transmission cleaning
 

Looks pretty clean on inside , but I have had car for 25 years and never opened it up