The Ford Barn

Rayfry · 06-17-2019, 12:43 PM

I have a 1949 Ford Custom with a leaking transmission. It is coming from the front of the trans. Its a manual 3 spd with o.d. I take it its the front seal but not sure. Do any of the transmission additives that they sell on the market actually work? They claim they will stop leaks and seal the transmission. I am trying to avoid pulling the trans.

JSeery · 06-17-2019, 12:57 PM

Additives normally consist of something that softens the seals. Not a very good solution. Sorry for the bad news, but think the only solution involves pulling the trans.

tubman · 06-17-2019, 01:00 PM

Have you checked to see if the transmission has been over-filled? Probably not, but I'd check that before I pulled it out.

Mac VP · 06-17-2019, 05:19 PM

The 49-56 Ford passenger three speed transmissions (including the overdrive type) were not made with a front oil seal. If the oil level is correct and the car is parked on level ground, it should not leak out the front bearing retainer when parked. If, for some reason, the front oil baffle is missing (located behind the front ball bearing) it could be throwing some oil out the front retainer when driving the car.

If the front bearing retainer is loose, you would have oil leaking out past the gasket.

Sealed front bearings can be found to replace the original open style bearing. I’d recommend pulling the rear plastic shield from the sealed bearing to allow oil to get into the balls. The front plastic shield would keep it inside the bearing.

Talkwrench · 06-17-2019, 06:53 PM

is it trans fluid....?

oldskool · 06-17-2019, 06:55 PM

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I would try thicker gear oil like 140 drain the old oil and refill with the thicker gear oil

Rayfry · 06-18-2019, 11:42 AM

The trans leaks when it is parked. You can actually watch it drip after I park it.

Tinker · 06-18-2019, 06:31 PM

I thought these old fords needed to mark their spot. I wouldn't worry. put some cardboard under it. It's normal, or at the very least not a big deal if there is a spot under it. A quart... worry.

Kurt in NJ · 06-18-2019, 06:40 PM

check to see if vent is clogged with dirt or spyder/mud wasp,etc

Mtn Wudy · 06-18-2019, 08:21 PM

Don’t the O.D. Trans’ take a special gear oil ....???

06-17-2019, 12:43 PM	#1
Rayfry Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Philadelphia Pa Posts: 67	Transmission Leaking I have a 1949 Ford Custom with a leaking transmission. It is coming from the front of the trans. Its a manual 3 spd with o.d. I take it its the front seal but not sure. Do any of the transmission additives that they sell on the market actually work? They claim they will stop leaks and seal the transmission. I am trying to avoid pulling the trans.

06-17-2019, 12:57 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Transmission Leaking Additives normally consist of something that softens the seals. Not a very good solution. Sorry for the bad news, but think the only solution involves pulling the trans.

06-17-2019, 01:00 PM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,302	Re: Transmission Leaking Have you checked to see if the transmission has been over-filled? Probably not, but I'd check that before I pulled it out.

06-17-2019, 05:19 PM	#4
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Transmission Leaking The 49-56 Ford passenger three speed transmissions (including the overdrive type) were not made with a front oil seal. If the oil level is correct and the car is parked on level ground, it should not leak out the front bearing retainer when parked. If, for some reason, the front oil baffle is missing (located behind the front ball bearing) it could be throwing some oil out the front retainer when driving the car. If the front bearing retainer is loose, you would have oil leaking out past the gasket. Sealed front bearings can be found to replace the original open style bearing. I’d recommend pulling the rear plastic shield from the sealed bearing to allow oil to get into the balls. The front plastic shield would keep it inside the bearing. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

06-17-2019, 06:53 PM	#5
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,687	Re: Transmission Leaking is it trans fluid....? __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

06-17-2019, 06:55 PM	#6
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: Transmission Leaking Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I would try thicker gear oil like 140 drain the old oil and refill with the thicker gear oil

06-18-2019, 11:42 AM	#7
Rayfry Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Philadelphia Pa Posts: 67	Re: Transmission Leaking The trans leaks when it is parked. You can actually watch it drip after I park it.

06-18-2019, 06:31 PM	#8
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Transmission Leaking I thought these old fords needed to mark their spot. I wouldn't worry. put some cardboard under it. It's normal, or at the very least not a big deal if there is a spot under it. A quart... worry.

06-18-2019, 06:40 PM	#9
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,155	Re: Transmission Leaking check to see if vent is clogged with dirt or spyder/mud wasp,etc

06-18-2019, 08:21 PM	#10
Mtn Wudy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Montrose,CO Posts: 226	Re: Transmission Leaking Don’t the O.D. Trans’ take a special gear oil ....??? __________________ Whether you think that you can,or that you can't,you are usually right....H.Ford

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