Kind of strange fluid level in tansmission

[1929tudor]

Had a question about the fluid level in my transmission. I always read to fill it up to the top of the hole or a little below to get the plug back in. I bought the car last year and never checked the level till now since I finally am getting ready to get it on the road for the first time and I removed the plug and the fluid came running out slowly. It is the right fluid cause it is as thick as mollases but was wondering how it could run out and overflow. I thought maybe someone may have rebuilt the trans and laid it on a table on the side and just filled it till it was at the top. Or is it possible to fill it with the shifter out and fill it from the top someway. Any thought would be appreciated. With the car level since it is running out with the plug removed I would think it is full ond ok. Just seems hard to figure out with the car level how there could be that much fluid in there and it comes out the hole everytime I remove the plug whether the car is warm or cold. Thanks a bunch.

[Patrick L.]

The transmitter can be filled thru the top cover [when shift tower is removed].

Has the u-joint been greased lately ? Just wondering if grease is now displacing the fluid.

[redmodelt]

Could it have gotten water in it and it's now showing over filled?

[Gold Digger]

Could be different kinds of fluid not compatible with each other. Some fluids foam when mixed.

[Mitch//pa]

definetly drain, refill and monitor the situation. also do the diff

[SeaSlugs]

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on more modern cars on manual trans you fill till it overflows. AKA keep dumping fluid in till it starts running out and quickly jam the cap back on. if you go to check the level it will start running back out at you.

BUT whenever i get a new to me car or anything with an engine i change all the fluids even if they say they changed them. then i know for sure they are changed with the proper fluids/ good brands i trust.

If i were you id change all the fluids to start a clean slate so to speak then monitor the situation.

oh and make sure your on level ground.

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

definetly drain, refill and monitor the situation. also do the diff

I agree with this note.

[Mike V. Florida]

You can't go wrong with draining and refilling. If it was filled when it was cold or squeezed in using a bottle and hose or even a funnel and hose it could be "overfilled". The key is you said it comes out slowly.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Patrick hit on the key but without emphasis. When installing an engine with transmission into a car, the transmission top must be off the trans. I use a cardboard dust cover in it's place.

Anyone that has ever filled a trans FROM EMPTY with high viscosity lube through the filler plug only has to do it once before they realize it's MUCH easier and quicker to do so through the top before installing the shifter top.

Just because someone was wise enough to learn that point doesn't mean they were careful enough to stop filling in time!

[Pat Martone]

I will share a "strange fluid" in transmission story. On one occasion, I must have pumped too much grease into the U-joint, and later learned that some of that grease found its way into the transmission. I discovered this when I drained to change the transmission fluid and it had a red greasy color to it and it was quite thick and took a long time to drain, which I believe came from the red grease that I used to the U-joint mixing with the transmission fluid. Is this a unique problem, and is it something to worry about? I welcome comments. Thanks.

[1929tudor]

Does it really matter if the trans is overfilled and if so does it hurt other parts or just cause more leakage?

[Bob Bidonde]

I had a similar experience with a Model A that had its fluids replenished while the rear or the front end of the car was jacked up. This result in overfilling the differential and transmission.

[Bruce Adams]

If you do not have a problem with cutting a hole in the wood floorboard, I have found it convenient to have a hole and a "Battery Cover Plate" like on driver's side over my tranny drain plug for convenient access for checking and filling without crawling underneath.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Pat Martone

I will share a "strange fluid" in transmission story. On one occasion, I must have pumped too much grease into the U-joint, and later learned that some of that grease found its way into the transmission. I discovered this when I drained to change the transmission fluid and it had a red greasy color to it and it was quite thick and took a long time to drain, which I believe came from the red grease that I used to the U-joint mixing with the transmission fluid. Is this a unique problem, and is it something to worry about? I welcome comments. Thanks.

Naa, its not a unique problem. Its probably happened many times and probably has never even been known.
It may be difficult or impossible to get the grease out of the transmitter just by trying to drain it. I've removed the top and flushed it out with diesel or kerosene [whichever we had].
When greasing the u-joint just pull the speedo drive [ the 2- 1/4" bolts] and that should give you an indication when the joint housing is full.

[Farrell In Vancouver]

1929Tudor, just my opinion, but if I had that much gear oil in my '28 it would quickly pump it out the vent hole, stick tower, past the rear bearing slinger, and into the diff.
I was over filling, thinking it had to be up to the fill plug. But with the gears spinning and the lube expanding as it warmed up it proved to be too much. I now add enough to just be able to touch the lube by dipping ring finger in the plug hole. Way less loss and mess on the outside of the transmixer.
Your mileage may vary, cheers!