Trans seal

[Jim-NC]

Does anyone know of a way to fix a leak around the seal between the transmission and motor on a 1955 850 Ford, without tearing it down? Thanks!

If not how bad is this to break in to? Is this a job that a novice can do? The tractor place wants $700.




JIM-NC

 

[Sean in PA]

(quoted from post at 09:49:52 09/13/10) Does anyone know of a way to fix a leak around the seal between the transmission and motor on a 1955 850 Ford, without tearing it down? Thanks!

If not how bad is this to break in to? Is this a job that a novice can do? The tractor place wants $700.

JIM-NC

There is no "Seal between the engine and transmission". The inside of the bell housing where the clutch is located should be dry.

There are several places that could be leaking at the rear of the engine or at the front of the transmission that would result in fluid leaking out at the joint between the transmission and the engine, but there is not a single seal between the two. If it is leaking motor oil, then it is the rear of the engine that is leaking. if it is whatever fluid you have in the transmission that is leaking, then the front of the transmission is leaking.

To properly diagnose exactly where it is leaking and what will be required to fix it, the tractor will need to be split.

If you have never split a tractor before, I recommend that you get someone to help you who has done it and has the proper equipment. You need to support both halves of the tractor at the split, and one end needs to roll away from the split while still being supported. Did I mention that this is dangerous and even experienced people have been killed trying to do it?

I can't believe that you have someone quoting you $700.00 to do it when they don't even know exactly what needs to be done. For a tractor split and a guarantee that the leak will be fixed, $700.00 seems fair to me, just get it in writing that they guarantee that they won't charge you any more for it once they have it opened up.

 

[GlenIdaho]

The only way to replace the input shaft seal is to split the tractor. The job is not difficult and anyone with reasonable mechanical skill, time and patience can do it. I'd recommend a manual to guide you through it though. When split, its a good time to check the clutch, disc, throw-out bearing and rear main seal and do any replacements necessary so you don't have to split it again. A rolling floor jack and blocks to support the front and back halves will be needed. If you have access to an engine hoist, that would be even better. Since you have a quote from a shop I assume they are sure its the input shaft seal. The rear main seal of the crank is often the culprit too. Hope this helps.

 

[Jim-NC]

The shop gave me a price over the phone I guessed it might be a main seal. This seems to under pressure spraying out. The transmission shouldn't be under pressure should it?




Jim-NC

 

[showcrop]

If the oil is "under pressure spraying out" then it is most likely the high pressure hydraulic line that passes through the bell housing. You would need to remove it of course, after splitting.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 14:49:52 09/13/10) Does anyone know of a way to fix a leak around the seal between the transmission and motor on a 1955 850 Ford, without tearing it down? Thanks!

If not how bad is this to break in to? Is this a job that a novice can do? The tractor place wants $700.




JIM-NC

If you were to bring me the tractor the only way I would go about the repair would be to evaluate the condition of the engine if it deemed a seal would possibly hold remove the engine and flip it over,,, check the crank for ware and go from their,,, I am not much for a in-frame seal job,,,(if its the seal leak'n) Under no circumstance would I grantee a fix...

Anyone that thinks a mechanic should grantee a patch job should open their own shop and try it for awhile....

The seals life depends on the condition of the rest of the engine,,, a truck load of new seals will not hold if the engine is in poor condition.... with a grantee are not....

 

[Anonymous-0]

As already noted, three possible leaks. Rear main, input shaft, hydraulic tube. You should be able to tell by checking levels in each compartment. If you are losing hydraulic fluid then it will be the pressure tube. This can be repaired without a split by re lining the tube with a 10mm OD tube.

Most likely input shaft, which needs a split. I split mine myself but I am mechanically inclined, have time, and have a good indoor working space. Indeed it is dangerous as the front end will rotate off the jacks unless you take a number of pre cautionary steps.

Search the forum and get a manual. In my opinion 500 to 700 is a fair price for input shaft seal. However when you split the tractor you may need to replace additional items, clutch, bearings etc.

 

[john_Bud]

(quoted from post at 17:49:13 09/13/10)

In my opinion 500 to 700 is a fair price for input shaft seal. However when you split the tractor you may need to replace additional items, clutch, bearings etc.

Agree and agree again. You are spending 80% of the $$ on labor to split the machine, it's false economy to NOT replace the clutch, Pressure Plate, etc. Besides, the clutch disc is probably soaked in oil and needs to be replaced.

After market kits are a couple hundred bucks, the ford kits are higher.

 

[Sean in PA]

Anyone that thinks a mechanic should grantee a patch job should open their own shop and try it for awhile....

I wasn't saying that they should guarantee it. I was being sarcastic about them quoting specifically $700.00 to fix the leak without having taken anything apart to see exactly what it needs.

If they're psychic enough to know what's wrong with it and what it'll cost to fix it without taking anything apart to find the source of the leak, then they should be psychic enough to know that their fix won't leak and be able to guarantee it.

A good shop should tell you what it will take to split the tractor and diagnose the problem and then after you've agreed to that and they've done it, they should then tell you what the real problem is and what it will cost to fix it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

10-4 that's cool....

 

[Jim-NC]

Hobo are you located any where near me in the Raleigh area?





Jim-NC