The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1939 transmission leak

'39 3/4 ton JD with 4 speed. I appear to be getting oil from the front of the transmission, and it's contaminating the clutch. Anybody know how this unit is suppose to be sealed to keep it from leaking? The bearings and gears all appear to be OK. Also, there is a hole, that appears to be a drain, on the front bearing retainer. Is that suppose to be installed up, or down?

...and this is what I learned. The drain hole in question is not an issue, as the bearing retainer will install in only one position, and hole is down.

As to the leak, I could see no provisions to actually stop fluid from exiting the front of the transmission. I think the problem was initiate because I over-filled the transmission, which in turn pushed fluid out the front, and onto the clutch. The contaminated clutch was causing the problems.

I just finished getting the transmission in place, and will attach it after my tea break. After I get the u-joint re-attached, and seat and floor in place, I will drive it. Then I should know more definitively. It will take some miles to be certain, but I think I got 'er done.

I did have to fashion tools to both extract and replace the pilot bushing while the engine is in the vehicle, but it can be done. Also, it's not necessary to remove the cross member as the book suggests. It would be easier, but one bolt (or two) by the master cylinder are quite hard to access, so I took it out, and put it back, using an engine hoist to lift it up and out, rather than down and out. It can be done.

I should add that the clutch package can be removed from the bottom of the vehicle with the engine in place, but the clutch fork has to first be removed.