Transmission rebuild

[rjkoop]

Finally getting a chance to reinstall my rebuilt transmission. A few questions...

1. Got new gasket for the drain pan. Would you still use sealant on one or both of the surfaces?
2. I was able to get the transmissions out without removing the shifter (although all the interior pieces around the transmission were removed). Can I reinstall without removing the shifter? It's already reinstalled on the transmission and I'd rather not remove.

Richard

[aj81spider]

You should get other opinions, but I'll give you my experience. I had an incredibly difficult time getting the pan not to leak (in fact I think it still leaks just a little bit). I tried many different gaskets, a couple of different pans, and using and not using sealer.

What got it into it's best state for me was the paper gasket coated on both sides with Permatex Aviation form-a-gasket.

[rjkoop]

You should get other opinions, but I'll give you my experience. I had an incredibly difficult time getting the pan not to leak (in fact I think it still leaks just a little bit). I tried many different gaskets, a couple of different pans, and using and not using sealer.

What got it into it's best state for me was the paper gasket coated on both sides with Permatex Aviation form-a-gasket.

Thanks. I took a closer look at the pan and transmission. And it looks perfectly flat to me and never leaked before. So I'm going to try the new gasket from AR and torque things down to 8ft/lbs. If that leaks I'll look at adding the gasket sealer. Thanks.

Honestly it will be a miracle if this transmission works anyways. The rebuild was the most complex thing I've ever attempted. And one wrong thing...

I've also replaced the clutch pressure plate and disc (easy) and I'm doing the clutch cable as well. The clutch cable looks easy too but some people seem to have horror stories.

If all goes well hope to get it on the road this weekend...

Richard

[rjkoop]

Installed the new clutch cable. That was pretty easy when I realized I could put my hand up to the left of the clutch pedal and unhook the old cable. Also filled the transmission with Pennzoil Syncromesh oil and no leaks after a few days of sitting flat on the brench. So that's good.

One concern I had though... I did tilt the transmission about 30 degrees or so towards the output shaft end thinking I should try to get some oil in that rear area of the transmission which is kind of separated a bit from the main drain pan area. I noticed that oil came pretty quickly out from the output shaft area when i had it tilted. Of course when I put it back right again it stopped.

I'm concerned maybe I forgot to install the oil seal on the output shaft. Of course I can't see behind there anymore (now that the output shaft bolt it tightened down with all the other pieces there) and I doubt I would have missed something that obvious. But I was surprised that the oil came out that quickly.

Richard

[RRoller123]

We both did the same thing on ours, to get the rear compartment to fill. No oil at all came out of either transmission.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm concerned maybe I forgot to install the oil seal on the output shaft. Of course I can't see behind there anymore (now that the output shaft bolt it tightened down with all the other pieces there) and I doubt I would have missed something that obvious. But I was surprised that the oil came out that quickly.

Don't shoot the messenger, but it does sound like something is wrong with that rear seal or how it's installed. I'm going by memory here, but my recollection is that the inner diameter of the seal goes around the OD of the 3-pronged output yoke shaft where it inserts into the rear of the transmission. The ID of the seal should match the OD of that part, of course. Is the seal the correct one...?

Well, if it's any consolation, I once rebuilt a transmission and put everything back in the car, but it made a funny "siren like" noise when driving. I went back to my apartment to think it over, and it was then that I noticed the mainshaft spacer washer laying on the dining room table, which of course I had forgotten to install (the spacer washer, not the dining room table). It all had to come apart again. Sigh...

-Bryan

[SteinOnkel]

Also replace your clutch pedal. And check the firewall for cracks if you haven't already.

Lots of fussy things in the driveline.

I can't see any way the transmission would leak when tilted 30* unless a seal is missing.

The idea of installing it without the shifter extension intrigues me. Anybody done this before?

[tima01864]

I think that it made the job of removing the transmission and installingthe transmission that much easier by having the shifter out of the way.
Different story with the early Spiders, Different design you need to remove the flex shaft Guibo.

[rjkoop]

We both did the same thing on ours, to get the rear compartment to fill. No oil at all came out of either transmission.

Yep. Found the problem! I'll post on another reply.

Richard

[rjkoop]

Also replace your clutch pedal. And check the firewall for cracks if you haven't already.

Lots of fussy things in the driveline.

I can't see any way the transmission would leak when tilted 30* unless a seal is missing.

The idea of installing it without the shifter extension intrigues me. Anybody done this before?

No cracks in firewall. Clutch pedal looks strong.

Real easy to install without shifter extension. And easy to reinstall once transmission installed. Just pop it in and bolt it from under the car. Gives you a lot more room.

Richard

[rjkoop]

I'm concerned maybe I forgot to install the oil seal on the output shaft. Of course I can't see behind there anymore (now that the output shaft bolt it tightened down with all the other pieces there) and I doubt I would have missed something that obvious. But I was surprised that the oil came out that quickly.

Don't shoot the messenger, but it does sound like something is wrong with that rear seal or how it's installed. I'm going by memory here, but my recollection is that the inner diameter of the seal goes around the OD of the 3-pronged output yoke shaft where it inserts into the rear of the transmission. The ID of the seal should match the OD of that part, of course. Is the seal the correct one...?

Well, if it's any consolation, I once rebuilt a transmission and put everything back in the car, but it made a funny "siren like" noise when driving. I went back to my apartment to think it over, and it was then that I noticed the mainshaft spacer washer laying on the dining room table, which of course I had forgotten to install (the spacer washer, not the dining room table). It all had to come apart again. Sigh...

-Bryan

Yep. I WAS missing the oil seal!



I think I was so focused on the internals I forgot something really obvious. And I think it's exactly the way you described it. It seems the seal doesn't go deep enough but once the output yoke shaft is in place I think that's what it seals against.

Here's another pic with the seal in place... just not tapped in.



Thanks for your help.

Richard

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Awesome, Richard, looks like you're in much better shape!

-Bryan

[rjkoop]

Awesome, Richard, looks like you're in much better shape!

-Bryan

I think so. I'm going to double check the other side and remove the bell housing which is pretty easy... just to ensure I didn't make the same mistake on the other side.

Richard

[ORFORD2004]

I hope you put loctite 515 on the spline of the output shaft or oil will leak from the spline.

[rjkoop]

Transmission back in. I brought it to a shop and they essentially just put it in and tighten the 4 bell housing bolts. I found it a pain to lie under the car and try to do it myself.

Reinstalled shifter and starter, ground cables, speedometer cable and new clutch cable and adjusted clutch. Drive shaft reinstalled and e-brake cables put back on. So I'm real close.

Richard