I had to pull the T-18 transmission in my '65 f-250 to replace the ring gear.

When it came time to remove the cab's transmission cover, I found the 11 sheet metal screws holding it in place. However, it was also sealed with a gooey, black substance (Permatex?) that appeared to have been applied by a child learning to fingerprint.

After removing the screws, I had to gently pry the cover out and was left with a nasty clean-up job on the screws and the plate. I found nothing that will cut this stuff and proceeded to scrap things clean. It's taken some time, but I am almost there.

As I consider reinstallation of the tranny cover, I wonder.... 1) if it really needs to be sealed (since it will be covered by a new, impervious floor mat) and 2) if it does need a sealant, what that sealant might be...

Your thoughts, please.

 

I scraped it all off with a putty knife and used black rtv. No idea why it’s sealed; fumes possibly?

 

Sealed for fumes and noise. I always use 3m strip caulk which is similar to what the factory used. It's a bit less stringy/fluid. The OEM stuff (at least after 50 years) seams to have the consistency of fresh duct seal/ plummer's putty too messy for my liking.

 

Just replaced the clutch and assembly component in 65 F100 and had to tear the carpet up in order to remove the T18 trans. I laid down a layer of jute aluminum foil and an upholstery shop installed the carpet and they sprayed contact cement down to secure the carpet to the floor. Now faced with same circumstances as to cleaning the cab floor before installing new jute aluminum foil and carpet and decided to give acetone a try?

On my 65 I just use the screws to secure the cover plate to the floor figure with the jute backed aluminum foil padding and carpet minimal noise and/or fumes.

 

Because I may drive in wet conditions or on muddy roads, I would be replacing the cover with some sort of sealer again; probably a heavy bead of RTV. I wouldn't want any moisture/road splash from getting in between the cover and the floor boards....to allow rot/rust to eat away. Sure, splash is not real likely up into that area, but RTV is just too easy not to do it.

Just my 2 cents worth....... BarnieTrk

 

Make sense decided to lay a bead before setting cover in place. Thanks for the input!.