The Ford Barn

fredski53 · 10-06-2019, 03:13 PM

Just added trans oil to the 30 Victoria, I might have overfilled it. Now I noticed oil dripping from the housing where the cable for the speedo screws into the trans. Is there a gasket or packing behind the screw on connector? Is this normal? Just let it drip, and it will seek the correct level of oil?

chrs1961815 · 10-06-2019, 05:56 PM

Are you sure it is trans oil or could it be lubricant in the speedometer cable? Happened to me when I put graphite lubricant on the cable.

There is a gasket that is supposed to go behind it but I do not know if it is original or if it really makes any difference. How high did you fill it?

fredski53 · 10-06-2019, 07:41 PM

I took the top off the trans and put about a quart of 60 weight in it..

redmodelt · 10-06-2019, 07:48 PM

Did you check at the fill plug hole for proper level? Yes there is a gasket between the speeo turtle and tube. When was the last time you added grease to the U-joint housing?

chrs1961815 · 10-06-2019, 08:38 PM

A quart to an empty trans is not too muc, not even more than that. Something else I think.

1crosscut · 10-06-2019, 08:47 PM

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If it started to drip only after you added the oil it seems to me that you may have filled it too full and the excess is finding its way out through the rear bearing. Pull the plug on the side of the transmission and let the excess flow out.

CWPASADENA · 10-06-2019, 09:25 PM

It sounds that transmission oil is leaking thru the rear main shaft bearing and into the U Joint cavity.

This will happen when there is no rear main shaft oil Baffle.

Early Mitchell Transmission used sealed main shaft bearings and after a while in use, the seals would start to leak and transmission oil would find it's way thru the rear bearing and into the U Joint cavity. If not caught in time, the transmission would run dry. Mitchell changed this design and offered a fix it kit for those already in service.

Chris W.

ryanheacox · 10-06-2019, 10:03 PM

Transmission takes about half a quart so it'll definitely be looking for a way out if you put in a quart.

The Master Cylinder · 10-06-2019, 11:35 PM

What ryanheacox said. The transmission holds 1 pint, not quart. Also you put 60 weight in it?

redmodelt · 10-07-2019, 12:17 AM

600w

chrs1961815 · 10-07-2019, 06:06 AM

Whoops, I was mistaken about the pint and quart thing.

rotorwrench · 10-07-2019, 08:36 AM

Look at it this way, at least the U-joint got some lube too. It will find it's own level soon enough. In the mean time, just put a drip tray under it.

Purdy Swoft · 10-07-2019, 03:38 PM

If the vent hole on the rear of the gear shift tower of the transmission is plugged it will cause such a leak like you have . look for a hole about three sixteenths in diameter about half way up the rear of the tower . This hole vents the backend and transmission . Pressure can built after a while and the gear oil will find the easiest exit .

chrs1961815 · 10-07-2019, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

If the vent hole on the rear of the gear shift tower of the transmission is plugged it will cause such a leak like you have . look for a hole about three sixteenths in diameter about half way up the rear of the tower . This hole vents the backend and transmission . Pressure can built after a while and the gear oil will find the easiest exit .

When I just rehabbed my trans, someone thought it was just a hole and plugged it with body filler. A drill bit and now no more leaks.

Purdy Swoft · 10-07-2019, 11:01 PM

Thanks for letting us know , I'm glad that you got it fixed .

fredski53 · 10-08-2019, 12:57 AM

Took the fill plug out and drained the extra oil out! Next time I won't put so much in! Thanks for all the replies.

WHN · 10-08-2019, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrs1961815

When I just rehabbed my trans, someone thought it was just a hole and plugged it with body filler. A drill bit and now no more leaks.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

First, I would like to give you credit for attempting this project.

Second, before any of us change anything on our cars, please understand what we are doing or could be doing.

Read the service bulletins. Read, read, read.

This is not rocket science, but you do need a fundamental understanding of what is being worked on. Enjoy.

Ed in Maine · 10-08-2019, 07:42 AM

You should also keep and eye on the level in the rear end. The oil may find its way back there also, get the level too high in the banjo and find its way into your rear brakes. I like to keep my rear end oil level about a 1/2 in. below the fill hole to prevent oil from getting into the brakes.

10-06-2019, 03:13 PM	#1
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Just added trans oil to the 30 Victoria, I might have overfilled it. Now I noticed oil dripping from the housing where the cable for the speedo screws into the trans. Is there a gasket or packing behind the screw on connector? Is this normal? Just let it drip, and it will seek the correct level of oil?

10-06-2019, 05:56 PM	#2
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Are you sure it is trans oil or could it be lubricant in the speedometer cable? Happened to me when I put graphite lubricant on the cable. There is a gasket that is supposed to go behind it but I do not know if it is original or if it really makes any difference. How high did you fill it? __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

10-06-2019, 07:41 PM	#3
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing I took the top off the trans and put about a quart of 60 weight in it..

10-06-2019, 07:48 PM	#4
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Did you check at the fill plug hole for proper level? Yes there is a gasket between the speeo turtle and tube. When was the last time you added grease to the U-joint housing? __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

10-06-2019, 08:38 PM	#5
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing A quart to an empty trans is not too muc, not even more than that. Something else I think. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

10-06-2019, 08:47 PM	#6
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If it started to drip only after you added the oil it seems to me that you may have filled it too full and the excess is finding its way out through the rear bearing. Pull the plug on the side of the transmission and let the excess flow out. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

10-06-2019, 09:25 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing It sounds that transmission oil is leaking thru the rear main shaft bearing and into the U Joint cavity. This will happen when there is no rear main shaft oil Baffle. Early Mitchell Transmission used sealed main shaft bearings and after a while in use, the seals would start to leak and transmission oil would find it's way thru the rear bearing and into the U Joint cavity. If not caught in time, the transmission would run dry. Mitchell changed this design and offered a fix it kit for those already in service. Chris W.

10-06-2019, 10:03 PM	#8
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Transmission takes about half a quart so it'll definitely be looking for a way out if you put in a quart.

10-06-2019, 11:35 PM	#9
The Master Cylinder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 879	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing What ryanheacox said. The transmission holds 1 pint, not quart. Also you put 60 weight in it? __________________ The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...

10-07-2019, 12:17 AM	#10
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing 600w __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

10-07-2019, 06:06 AM	#11
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Whoops, I was mistaken about the pint and quart thing. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

10-07-2019, 08:36 AM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Look at it this way, at least the U-joint got some lube too. It will find it's own level soon enough. In the mean time, just put a drip tray under it.

10-07-2019, 03:38 PM	#13
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing If the vent hole on the rear of the gear shift tower of the transmission is plugged it will cause such a leak like you have . look for a hole about three sixteenths in diameter about half way up the rear of the tower . This hole vents the backend and transmission . Pressure can built after a while and the gear oil will find the easiest exit .

10-07-2019, 11:01 PM	#15
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Thanks for letting us know , I'm glad that you got it fixed .

10-08-2019, 12:57 AM	#16
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing Took the fill plug out and drained the extra oil out! Next time I won't put so much in! Thanks for all the replies.

10-08-2019, 07:42 AM	#18
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: Trans oil leaking from speedo housing You should also keep and eye on the level in the rear end. The oil may find its way back there also, get the level too high in the banjo and find its way into your rear brakes. I like to keep my rear end oil level about a 1/2 in. below the fill hole to prevent oil from getting into the brakes.