The Ford Barn

GQ · 02-27-2012, 11:47 PM

Hi,

Just registered and this is my first post. I'm a complete newbie so I have a lot to learn. I just started driving my 30 coupe and noticed a puddle from a leak under the clutch/transmission area today (just drove it yesterday about 25 minutes). Would appreciate some trouble-shooting advice, and what lubricant is preferred for the transmission. Thanks.

hardtimes · 02-27-2012, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GQ

Hi,

Just registered and this is my first post. I'm a complete newbie so I have a lot to learn. I just started driving my 30 coupe and noticed a puddle from a leak under the clutch/transmission area today (just drove it yesterday about 25 minutes). Would appreciate some trouble-shooting advice, and what lubricant is preferred for the transmission. Thanks.

Welcome !
At the bottom of the clutch cover/bellhousing, there is a LARGE cotter pin in a hole. This is to allow oil leaking from the rear main to exit rather than pooling and thusly getting onto the clutch disk/pressure plate. Is that where it's leaking..as that's the 'normal' oil exiting place. If this is so, your rear main seal area may be the leak as opposed to trans.

BTW to more directly answer your Q: 600w is what suppliers sell you to use in trans. I use 170 gear oil for everthing...except engine oil.

1931 flamingo · 02-28-2012, 09:53 AM

Welcome!! Fill out your profile (location,etc). There may be someone closeby??
Paul in CT

pat in Santa Cruz · 02-28-2012, 10:36 AM

odds are its engine oil as Hardtimes suggests. Trans oil can come out there, but it is usually minimal. Check the oil in the puddle to determine which. Trans oil is very thick. check trans fluid level by removing the 3/4 inch plug on the pass side of the gearbox and dip your finger in to check level.

If its the engine, well, welcome to the World of Model A Fords. Follow this link to rear main leaks causes and repairs:

http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html

ford1 · 02-28-2012, 10:39 AM

first you need to determine if its engine oil or trans oil, engine oil will be rather thin even cold, trans oil if its the modern type will have a smell only to gear oil and it will be very heavy when cold, it its engine oil, my guess like others its coming from the rear main, to help stop the leaking it will be necessary to pull the pan and plasa gage the main, it should be around .001 or less clearance, check the rod clearances with plasta gauge also, adjust the clearances by removing shims in the rod and main caps

GQ · 02-29-2012, 11:11 PM

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You guys are great. Thanks for all the responses so quick. I had a chance to crawl under today and unfortunately it is gear oil...thick, sticky and a little redish cast to it. The leak is coming from the Universal Joint housing and then flowing downhill toward the front of the car, dripping off the drain plug from what I think is the clutch housing. Thought I would try tightening the U-joint housing first, but would appreciate other thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.

Lawrie · 02-29-2012, 11:35 PM

You can pull the u/joint housing off by undoing the bolts,then fit new felt seal at the rear and new gaskets by sliting them in two using a sharp knife,refit using a good sealant.

lawrie

pat in Santa Cruz · 03-01-2012, 12:19 AM

there is a small vent hole in the shift tower, facing the seat of the car, just a bit below the top of the tower where the lever seats in the casting. It gets clogged, When it does, the increased internal pressure pushes the oil out the back and front. Poke the gunk out and clear the hole if its clogged. It should help, but repairing the felt seal and using some RTV on the paper gaskets will help too.

Benson · 03-01-2012, 12:27 AM

GQ,

Here is a picture of vent that Pat mentioned:

If it is plugged with dirt a dental pick type tool and vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt away from the hole can be used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

there is a small vent hole in the shift tower, facing the seat of the car, just a bit below the top of the tower where the lever seats in the casting. It gets clogged, When it does, the increased internal pressure pushes the oil out the back and front. Poke the gunk out and clear the hole if its clogged. It should help, but repairing the felt seal and using some RTV on the paper gaskets will help too.

02-27-2012, 11:47 PM	#1
GQ Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2	transmission leak Hi, Just registered and this is my first post. I'm a complete newbie so I have a lot to learn. I just started driving my 30 coupe and noticed a puddle from a leak under the clutch/transmission area today (just drove it yesterday about 25 minutes). Would appreciate some trouble-shooting advice, and what lubricant is preferred for the transmission. Thanks.

02-28-2012, 09:53 AM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: transmission leak Welcome!! Fill out your profile (location,etc). There may be someone closeby?? Paul in CT

02-28-2012, 10:36 AM	#4
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: transmission leak odds are its engine oil as Hardtimes suggests. Trans oil can come out there, but it is usually minimal. Check the oil in the puddle to determine which. Trans oil is very thick. check trans fluid level by removing the 3/4 inch plug on the pass side of the gearbox and dip your finger in to check level. If its the engine, well, welcome to the World of Model A Fords. Follow this link to rear main leaks causes and repairs: http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/REARMAINLEAK.html

02-28-2012, 10:39 AM	#5
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: transmission leak first you need to determine if its engine oil or trans oil, engine oil will be rather thin even cold, trans oil if its the modern type will have a smell only to gear oil and it will be very heavy when cold, it its engine oil, my guess like others its coming from the rear main, to help stop the leaking it will be necessary to pull the pan and plasa gage the main, it should be around .001 or less clearance, check the rod clearances with plasta gauge also, adjust the clearances by removing shims in the rod and main caps

02-29-2012, 11:11 PM	#6
GQ Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2	Re: transmission leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You guys are great. Thanks for all the responses so quick. I had a chance to crawl under today and unfortunately it is gear oil...thick, sticky and a little redish cast to it. The leak is coming from the Universal Joint housing and then flowing downhill toward the front of the car, dripping off the drain plug from what I think is the clutch housing. Thought I would try tightening the U-joint housing first, but would appreciate other thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.

02-29-2012, 11:35 PM	#7
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,223	Re: transmission leak You can pull the u/joint housing off by undoing the bolts,then fit new felt seal at the rear and new gaskets by sliting them in two using a sharp knife,refit using a good sealant. lawrie

03-01-2012, 12:19 AM	#8
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: transmission leak there is a small vent hole in the shift tower, facing the seat of the car, just a bit below the top of the tower where the lever seats in the casting. It gets clogged, When it does, the increased internal pressure pushes the oil out the back and front. Poke the gunk out and clear the hole if its clogged. It should help, but repairing the felt seal and using some RTV on the paper gaskets will help too.