So I'm reading Earl Swift's 'The Big Roads' about the interstate highway program (it's great, thanks for asking) and it has triggered a 'what the' question.

The author claims that in the mid-sixties ground walnut shells were used in automatic transmissions. Really?

Educate me oh wise ones of FTE.

 

Sawdust was said to be used by less-than-praiseworthy used car dealers or sellers to disguise a worn out automatic. Same idea I guess would apply to walnut shell powder. Stu

 

Hey Stu!
You may be right - but the author cited a automotive reference from 1958. Makes me think it wasn't just shady mechanics using the stuff.

 

I've never seen it but used to hear of shadey used car dealerships putting sawdust in rear diffs and transmissions and of course rolling back the odometers.

 

I haven't heard of sawdust in an automatic before. I have heard of sawdust in a rear axle and in manual transmissions. This was talked about in The Grapes of Wrath.

edit: 56panelford beat me to it by 7 minutes...

 

I found this, maybe the facts got a little mixed up over the years. They used the shells to clean the parts, not in the actual operation.

 

Yup, I get the whole sawdust thing: readily available, absorbs fluids, and deadens sound. Walnut shells would seem the polar opposite.

 

I've heard of and can see how it could work using some kind of solid stuff in a gear box or differential but knowing how an automatic transmission works, I call bovine feces. Walnut shells, sawdust, anything granular or heavy would be the very quick death of an automatic tranny. Perhaps as a friction component of a band? Otherwise, BF.

 

No problem, it wasn't a race,lol

 

I'm liking Bob's response - with a period source no less! The book's mention wasn't specific as to how the shells were consumed. This answer seems most likely.

I say we show up at Bob's place in a couple of weeks to celebrate. Thanks Bob!

 

Duane, you can bring me a cake!!

 

Done. . .

 

Duane, you bring the cake and I'll have the pies (read my latest Dairlyland Truckfest post https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14612381)

 

Going vegan I see.

 

Nice to see you all together. Being in the walnut business, I can tell you walnut shells are high in oil and break down quickly after they've done their abrasive work...