While I am waiting for my speedo drive gear to get here I thought I would do a little research. I am not having much luck finding a direct answer to the things I am asking. Maybe someone can enlighten me or push me off in the right direction.

First: I need to know if the tail shaft housing on a 1970 4x2 T18 where the speedometer drive gear is located has fluid. Such as when I remove the housing will it empty the trans onto the floor if I don't pre-drain into a bucket for recycle?

Second: I need to know if the tail shaft housing seal is reusable or if it has to be replaced. If it needs to be replaced can I get this at a local parts store? I am referring to the seal between the tail housing and the transmission. If there is no fluid in the tail shaft housing are the seals just to keep out the dust and dirt?

If the fluid needs to be completely drained and the tail shaft also houses fluid then I will probably wait until I pull the motor for new seals in a couple weeks. If it is as simple as dropping the drive shaft, U-joint yoke, and tail shaft housing then I will go ahead and slip in the new speedometer drive gear when I get it.

 

There should be two plugs on the right side of the tranny case. The upper is the fill plug and obviously the lower is the drain plug. If the upper plug is lower than the bottom of the extension housing matig surface then you won't loose any fluid when you take it off. IMHO I think you ought to replace the tranny's fluid anyways. It takes normal 90W rear axle gear lube (80W90 is O.K)
There is no seal inside there. Just the one that seals the driveshaft yoke. Do not re-use the seal. That is asking for a leak down the road. There are a bunch of dealers that show as still having the seal and gasket in stock. None in NV though. I would suggest calling Kinsel L/M since they show BOTH in stock. 1-800-816-2894. Tell Gina that Jeff from Berge Ford told you to call.
C5TZ7052B...seal
C5TZ7086B....gasket

 

When you pull motor if you leave tranny on there fluid will pour out that housing if you don't seal it up somehow.

 

I called and left a msg with Gina. It went to voice mail so now I wait for a call back.
Thanks for the info

 

AHHH. Wait 'till tommorrow and call her again. I think they are closed now. She's not to swell on call backs.

 

maybe she didn't call back because I mentioned your name

 

OUCH. LOL!

 

The tailshaft seal is available pretty much anywhere. There is a bearing in there so it does have oil in there. The joint between the tailsahft and trans case can be sealed with a gasket or with rtv, as long as the surfaces are clean.
Double check the fluid type- The two T18s i have had in these style trucks both called for 50wt motor oil, so gear oil may be too thick for some of the oil passages. Those trucks had door stickers that said the trans uses 50wt.

 

I was guessing 80w90, but if anyone knows for sure the info would be greatly appreciated. I don't have any stickers or owners manual to go by. Most of the reading I have done people always mention 80w90, but I will look further into it. Thanks for the heads up.

Update: The Borg_Warner T18 tranny pdf I found from a repair manual says to "fill the transmission to the proper level with Standard Transmission Lubricant (SAE 80W) DZ-19C547-A (ESP-MC83C) or equivalent. Add 1/4 liter (1/2 pint) of lubricant through the speedometer cable hole in the rear transmission extension housing."

 

50wt. Really?!! WOW! This is the 1st I've ever heard of FORD mentioning this weight! I believe you trust me, but all I've ever heard of is any tranny with a cast iron case gets 90wt (now 80W90). Any tranny with an aluminum case gets ATF. Closer tolerances in an aluminum case tranny so requires thinner fluid.

 

Well Greg, obviously this morning is full of 1sts for me. I just called Gina at Kinsel on your behalf. She told me they sell Dealer to Dealer only out of State. She would sell them to me but not you. Then I would sell to you. 1st I've heard this also. I could have her drop ship to you but this just seems like the long way around to me. If this is what you want I would be more than happy to do so. Or you could do one of two other things. Buy them aftermarket locally as noted above or call Green Sales in Ohio. I called and talked to Brett there. He will sell them to you. 7052 Seal $5.00 and 7086 gasket $3.00.

 

Luckily the door sticker from my parts truck is still there:

This was a 72 F250 2wd with a T18. My 72 F100 4x4 had a nicer sticker, but now that I think about it that had an NP435.
I did run 15w40 diesel rated oil in the F250, and it worked just fine and even shifted nicely in very cold temps.