Transmission woes
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Transmission woes
Well this weekend we finally had the weather to climb under the truck and what do we find? Leaking transmission fluid, a missing bolt (or 2) from the bell housing and what looks to me like a chuck missing from the bell housing too.
I am not sure if it is or can even hold fluid.
I believe this has pushed our plans up to find and install a C4 transmission. I found a few sites to help us along but I, of course, needed to come here for the best advice.
Does it matter the year? Any bellhousing should work as long as its for a small block Ford?
Ford Truck Picture by Dad&Son&F100 | 3139110 | Ford-Trucks.com
That is the link to the missing bolts/ missing chunk.
Any advice, as always, is greatly appreciated.
The good news is my son is learning a lot quickly. The bad news is its costing me a lot to teach him.
I am not sure if it is or can even hold fluid.
I believe this has pushed our plans up to find and install a C4 transmission. I found a few sites to help us along but I, of course, needed to come here for the best advice.
Does it matter the year? Any bellhousing should work as long as its for a small block Ford?
Ford Truck Picture by Dad&Son&F100 | 3139110 | Ford-Trucks.com
That is the link to the missing bolts/ missing chunk.
Any advice, as always, is greatly appreciated.
The good news is my son is learning a lot quickly. The bad news is its costing me a lot to teach him.
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,049
Likes: 1,603
From: Seattle
The bellhousing is not designed to hold oil. The oil should be inside of the transmission and/or engine, nothing in the bellhousing - other than leaks. It's common for the rear main seal (and other rear engine locations) to leak into the bellhousing area and then drip through the weep hole in the bottom edge. Any missing chunk is likely the weep hole, I'd guess. Looks like it from here.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2015
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The bellhousing is not designed to hold oil. The oil should be inside of the transmission and/or engine, nothing in the bellhousing - other than leaks. It's common for the rear main seal (and other rear engine locations) to leak into the bellhousing area and then drip through the weep hole in the bottom edge. Any missing chunk is likely the weep hole, I'd guess. Looks like it from here.
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Looks like I have a lot to learn about these trucks too.
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,049
Likes: 1,603
From: Seattle
If your current transmission is also an automatic then you might be able to determine if the leak is primarily transmission fluid or engine oil. Often automatic transmission fluid is a different color, like red, which can help distinguish it from the more brown/black colored motor oil.
A drip at the bellhousing - if transmission fluid - probably coming from the front seal and if engine oil might be rear main seal, pan gasket, oil galley plugs, If coming around the outside of the bellhousing - rear intake gasket, head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, etc.
Some places sell an additive that you add to the existing oil in the pan and then you can see if that area leaks after driving it by using a black light. Engine first - if no evidence from there - drain it and refill with fresh oil - then add the stuff to the transmission and drive it again then use the black light. It can help pinpoint which component has the leak.
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A drip at the bellhousing - if transmission fluid - probably coming from the front seal and if engine oil might be rear main seal, pan gasket, oil galley plugs, If coming around the outside of the bellhousing - rear intake gasket, head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, etc.
Some places sell an additive that you add to the existing oil in the pan and then you can see if that area leaks after driving it by using a black light. Engine first - if no evidence from there - drain it and refill with fresh oil - then add the stuff to the transmission and drive it again then use the black light. It can help pinpoint which component has the leak.
.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
If your current transmission is also an automatic then you might be able to determine if the leak is primarily transmission fluid or engine oil. Often automatic transmission fluid is a different color, like red, which can help distinguish it from the more brown/black colored motor oil.
A drip at the bellhousing - if transmission fluid - probably coming from the front seal and if engine oil might be rear main seal, pan gasket, oil galley plugs, If coming around the outside of the bellhousing - rear intake gasket, head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, etc.
Some places sell an additive that you add to the existing oil in the pan and then you can see if that area leaks after driving it by using a black light. Engine first - if no evidence from there - drain it and refill with fresh oil - then add the stuff to the transmission and drive it again then use the black light. It can help pinpoint which component has the leak.
.
A drip at the bellhousing - if transmission fluid - probably coming from the front seal and if engine oil might be rear main seal, pan gasket, oil galley plugs, If coming around the outside of the bellhousing - rear intake gasket, head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, etc.
Some places sell an additive that you add to the existing oil in the pan and then you can see if that area leaks after driving it by using a black light. Engine first - if no evidence from there - drain it and refill with fresh oil - then add the stuff to the transmission and drive it again then use the black light. It can help pinpoint which component has the leak.
.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
What engine do you have in the truck now?
The oil leak is most likely an engine oil leak, by the way.
If a 352, you may have the notorious rear intake manifold leak. It may also be a rear main oil seal leak, too.
I find it unlikely that your manual transmission is leaking oil from its front seal, but not impossible. It would be worthwhile to check the transmission fluid to make sure it isn't low. If you can feel some in there after you remove the side fill plug, you are fine, no need to add any.
The oil leak is most likely an engine oil leak, by the way.
If a 352, you may have the notorious rear intake manifold leak. It may also be a rear main oil seal leak, too.
I find it unlikely that your manual transmission is leaking oil from its front seal, but not impossible. It would be worthwhile to check the transmission fluid to make sure it isn't low. If you can feel some in there after you remove the side fill plug, you are fine, no need to add any.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2015
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What engine do you have in the truck now?
The oil leak is most likely an engine oil leak, by the way.
If a 352, you may have the notorious rear intake manifold leak. It may also be a rear main oil seal leak, too.
I find it unlikely that your manual transmission is leaking oil from its front seal, but not impossible. It would be worthwhile to check the transmission fluid to make sure it isn't low. If you can feel some in there after you remove the side fill plug, you are fine, no need to add any.
The oil leak is most likely an engine oil leak, by the way.
If a 352, you may have the notorious rear intake manifold leak. It may also be a rear main oil seal leak, too.
I find it unlikely that your manual transmission is leaking oil from its front seal, but not impossible. It would be worthwhile to check the transmission fluid to make sure it isn't low. If you can feel some in there after you remove the side fill plug, you are fine, no need to add any.
Im heading out now to wipe everything down and check the level of the trans fluid.
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Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Seattle
If C4 is in your future I wouldn't try to sway you, but I would tend to clean up and reseal everything I could identify and see if there is a real problem with the trans leaking. I like Manual transmissions because I can replace any gaskets, seals, bearings and most often have a great outcome for relatively little cost. I personally can't say the same about Automatics, but that's just me.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
The 3 speed manual is a tough transmission, and is a great match for a 240. Swapping in a C4 will rob the engine of some of its power, and the swap will bring its own headaches.
In my opinion, I just do not see a need to replace the transmission you have, at least at this time. Even so, it will be a lot easier and cheaper to replace it with another one like it, instead of going with an automatic (or even a 4 speed for that matter).
I agree, first, clean the engine thoroughly to identify and fix the leaks, and decide from there.
I did the change from a manual transmission to an automatic, but my reasons were based on other factors.
In my opinion, I just do not see a need to replace the transmission you have, at least at this time. Even so, it will be a lot easier and cheaper to replace it with another one like it, instead of going with an automatic (or even a 4 speed for that matter).
I agree, first, clean the engine thoroughly to identify and fix the leaks, and decide from there.
I did the change from a manual transmission to an automatic, but my reasons were based on other factors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Near Yosemite CA
The 240 and 3 speed are a great combo! My 66 Shrek, with the 240 likes to mark his spot everywhere we go. The Lifter cover and valve covers on these like to start leaking when the old cork gaskets go to poo, also, my oil pressure sending unit was leaking when I first got him, and I replaced that and it slowed things down a bit on the leaking front.
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The 240 and 3 speed are a great combo! My 66 Shrek, with the 240 likes to mark his spot everywhere we go. The Lifter cover and valve covers on these like to start leaking when the old cork gaskets go to poo, also, my oil pressure sending unit was leaking when I first got him, and I replaced that and it slowed things down a bit on the leaking front.
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