The Ford Barn

steve fritz · 05-20-2020, 08:13 AM

I have a slight transmission fluid leak ( just a drip or very slow drips), from my overdrive solenoid and was thinking it would probably be the shaft seal around the plunger of the solenoid. I see those seals are available and was wondering if the installation of that seal requires pulling the solenoid apart or is it removed and replaced from the front side , outside the can?
Any experience on how this is done? Any special tools needed? etc
Thanks for your comments from those who have had this experience.
Steve

Dobie Gillis · 05-20-2020, 10:48 AM

It's the same seal that goes into the trans but the one in the solenoid can't be replaced without completely disassembling the solenoid. If oil is dripping from the solenoid drain hole that's not a good thing. Oil inside the solenoid will eventually cause it to fail. Since oil is getting past the seal in the trans you might try replacing that seal and cleaning up the inside of the solenoid as best you can with spray electrical contact cleaner.

There are several sources for new or rebuilt solenoids on an exchange basis.

https://www.vintageautogarage.com/Bo...id-p/odsrb.htm

Mac Van Pelt is another good source, just google Van Pelt Sales. Mac's a member of this forum.

Mac VP · 05-21-2020, 05:56 AM

Thanks for the plug......however, we no longer sell the OD solenoids. We do stock those seals. The one that fits into the adapter casting would be the easiest one to replace. The one in the solenoid definitely requires taking it apart. I’d try doing the adapter seal first. Always make sure to keep the drain hole in the cap clear and facing down.

JimNNN · 05-21-2020, 03:13 PM

I replaced my (adapter) seal when I replaced my solenoid. A couple of things: I'd buy one or two extras. If the solenoid doesn't get reinstalled correctly, or you need to remove it within a short period of time to address other issues, the seal apparently gets stressed and can only handle so many installation cycles. I think the seals are about 8 bucks, so not cheap but not horrible either.

The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that. Installation will be the reverse procedure, except that the solenoid has to be activated electrically so the shaft will extend to be able to reinstall the unit (then de-activated. This will pull the solenoid up to the OD housing, which will be an indication that the shaft is properly engaged with the pawl.) You probably need to buy the borg warner overdrive book from Randy Rundle. Or zoegrant has been working on his a lot lately so he probably has this procedure memorized by now.

My understanding is that Dobie is correct: oil inside the solenoid will wreck it.

Dobie Gillis · 05-21-2020, 04:31 PM

"The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that."

Counterclockwise always works for me.

Mel Gross · 05-22-2020, 03:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

OVERDRIVE SOLENOIDS
We rebuild 6 or 12 volt overdrive solenoids.
We also stock new 6 and 12 volt solenoids along
with 6 or 12 volt relays.
Please either call us at 714-292-8660 or email us at
[email protected] Thanks

05-20-2020, 08:13 AM	#1
steve fritz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: onalaska , wisconsin Posts: 535	1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement I have a slight transmission fluid leak ( just a drip or very slow drips), from my overdrive solenoid and was thinking it would probably be the shaft seal around the plunger of the solenoid. I see those seals are available and was wondering if the installation of that seal requires pulling the solenoid apart or is it removed and replaced from the front side , outside the can? Any experience on how this is done? Any special tools needed? etc Thanks for your comments from those who have had this experience. Steve

05-20-2020, 10:48 AM	#2
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement It's the same seal that goes into the trans but the one in the solenoid can't be replaced without completely disassembling the solenoid. If oil is dripping from the solenoid drain hole that's not a good thing. Oil inside the solenoid will eventually cause it to fail. Since oil is getting past the seal in the trans you might try replacing that seal and cleaning up the inside of the solenoid as best you can with spray electrical contact cleaner. There are several sources for new or rebuilt solenoids on an exchange basis. https://www.vintageautogarage.com/Bo...id-p/odsrb.htm Mac Van Pelt is another good source, just google Van Pelt Sales. Mac's a member of this forum. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

05-21-2020, 05:56 AM	#3
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: 1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement Thanks for the plug......however, we no longer sell the OD solenoids. We do stock those seals. The one that fits into the adapter casting would be the easiest one to replace. The one in the solenoid definitely requires taking it apart. I’d try doing the adapter seal first. Always make sure to keep the drain hole in the cap clear and facing down. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

05-21-2020, 03:13 PM	#4
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	Re: 1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement I replaced my (adapter) seal when I replaced my solenoid. A couple of things: I'd buy one or two extras. If the solenoid doesn't get reinstalled correctly, or you need to remove it within a short period of time to address other issues, the seal apparently gets stressed and can only handle so many installation cycles. I think the seals are about 8 bucks, so not cheap but not horrible either. The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that. Installation will be the reverse procedure, except that the solenoid has to be activated electrically so the shaft will extend to be able to reinstall the unit (then de-activated. This will pull the solenoid up to the OD housing, which will be an indication that the shaft is properly engaged with the pawl.) You probably need to buy the borg warner overdrive book from Randy Rundle. Or zoegrant has been working on his a lot lately so he probably has this procedure memorized by now. My understanding is that Dobie is correct: oil inside the solenoid will wreck it. Last edited by JimNNN; 05-21-2020 at 03:39 PM.

05-21-2020, 04:31 PM	#5
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement "The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that." Counterclockwise always works for me. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

05-22-2020, 03:25 PM	#6
Mel Gross Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 909	Re: 1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) OVERDRIVE SOLENOIDS We rebuild 6 or 12 volt overdrive solenoids. We also stock new 6 and 12 volt solenoids along with 6 or 12 volt relays. Please either call us at 714-292-8660 or email us at [email protected] Thanks