Bolt size
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Indian head is a good gasket sealer, but I tend to use Form-a-gasket blue silicone sealer without any supplimental gasket, it's not needed with this sealer and likely difficult to find one anyhow. Don't overdo the sealant, a thin, barely opaque coat on both sides, being sure to go completely around each bolt hole is enough, you don't want big gobs squeezing out inside the tranny. If you have gone thru the effort to pull the housing, replacing the driveshaft yoke/output shaft seal at the same time would be an excellent preventive maintainance measure. I would try tightening the bolts first, to ~ 35 ft/lbs torque so you don't strip them.
Ross, too bad I didn't know you when I bought Gracie, I bought her in Albuq.! We could have swapped war stories, sounds like we have similar mechanical backgrounds, age. Good thing her PO didn't know you tho, he might not have sold her so easily had he had someone that could work on her there. He was not at all mechanically inclined and couldn't find a reliable mechanic that did good work there he said.
Ross, too bad I didn't know you when I bought Gracie, I bought her in Albuq.! We could have swapped war stories, sounds like we have similar mechanical backgrounds, age. Good thing her PO didn't know you tho, he might not have sold her so easily had he had someone that could work on her there. He was not at all mechanically inclined and couldn't find a reliable mechanic that did good work there he said.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
My tip was for taking the seal at the yoke out, so to avoid confusion I won't even mention it.
You might want to jack the truck up, pull the fill plug out of the tranny, then lower it so it's flat and let any excess drain, at least to see if it is an overfill problem.
If it isn't, then do what Albuq said...but chock the wheels first! I have no experience with Indian Head...I have a jar of it but someone led me to believe it was tough stuff that is nearly impossible to get off. I don't know, I imagine a wire brush in a drill will remove anything. I have always just had great luck with the Form A Gasket stuff.
One other warning...make sure you don't have an aluminum tailshaft houseing (you probaby don't) before you start tightening the bolts too tight. That could be disastrous if you crack it.
Good luck.
You might want to jack the truck up, pull the fill plug out of the tranny, then lower it so it's flat and let any excess drain, at least to see if it is an overfill problem.
If it isn't, then do what Albuq said...but chock the wheels first! I have no experience with Indian Head...I have a jar of it but someone led me to believe it was tough stuff that is nearly impossible to get off. I don't know, I imagine a wire brush in a drill will remove anything. I have always just had great luck with the Form A Gasket stuff.
One other warning...make sure you don't have an aluminum tailshaft houseing (you probaby don't) before you start tightening the bolts too tight. That could be disastrous if you crack it.
Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 382
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From: Chicago
Thanks guys, will definetly try tightening the bolts up first but with my luck it will not be that easy. Were can I pick up some of that Form a Gasket? I have a long day out in the garage, planned for the day 1. tighten bolts and clean housing to watch if it needs a new gasket 2. find a brake adjuster spoon and adjust the drums all around 3. adjust the hood so it doenst hit the cowl when opened 4. adjust the glove compartment so it lines up with the rest of the dash 5. look at the two speed wipers and see if I can figure out why it only has one speed 6. fix chip in windshield 7. pickup supplies to start fixing all of the chips and scratches in the paint. Oh dont worry I actually have three days to do all of this but would love to get it done and have a little time to drive the old girl around. Thanks for all of the help so far and look forward to picking your brains in the future.
Cbass
Cbass
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,138
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From: Marietta, Ohio
If it in fact it is a bolt that fastens the tranny to the bell housing it should not have anything to do with the actual leak. However, it should be there so I suggest you pull one of the bolts that is still there and first make sure it will fit in the missing bolt's position. then take that bolt ot a real auto parts store, (read this as not Autozone), and get one like it. that way you won't have to guess on the size or length. the leak and the bolt missing are two different problems and not related if it is the bolt you say it is.
Later Man...
Later Man...
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 382
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From: Chicago
Yeah, we established that they are two seperate issues. I am going to tighten up the bolts on the tailshaft to tranny connection to make sure the leak isnt just because it has loosened up a bit. The bolt is going to be replaced for sure just have to take one out and find a place that sells them, any suggestions? Then on to the many other projects that I want to have done before she becomes my daily driver. I also have a weather stripping set on its way so I dont have to wear rain gear inside the truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 2
From: Marietta, Ohio
I would suggst NAPA or an independently owned and operated parts store. Anyone that sells Dorman fasteners would be good. Places like Autozone tend to go by year, make and model. If they can't find it on their computer they are lost. Most of those guys wouldn't know one bolt type or size from another.
Later Man...
Later Man...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Likes: 1
NAPA will have the Form A Gasket, too. It comes in copper, blue, black depending on heat range. I think AX suggested using the blue for this application. I used the black stuff on the rear end in my '55 and never had any issues with that.
If NAPA doesn't have the bolts, any decent hardware store will have it. Look for Grade 8 just to be on the safe side, but Grade 5 will probably work and save you a few cents. A hardware store might have the Form A Gasket, too.
If NAPA doesn't have the bolts, any decent hardware store will have it. Look for Grade 8 just to be on the safe side, but Grade 5 will probably work and save you a few cents. A hardware store might have the Form A Gasket, too.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 382
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From: Chicago
Torqued them to 35 ft/lb and thought I had gotten away with th easy way out but of course once I drove it and checked it again there is just a small film of this stuff on the one corner. It isnt even enough to form a drop, the floor is completely dry. I guess I am going to have to pull it and do the Form a Gasket. I will check that it is not over full before I do that. Thanks for all of the help.
Cbass
Cbass
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
If it isn't leaking bad enough to make a drop on the floor (how much time did you wait) you might as well cruise the hell out of it this season (depending on where you live) and wait until the winter to mess with it...but you might want to be sure it isn't overfilled first. It's an old Ford...it's GOTTA leak from somewhere! LOL
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Chicago
Nice.
I plan on driving this old girl all year round, so there is not season and I guess you are right if it isnt a bad leak then might as well just put a towel under there in the garage and watch that it isnt leaking a ton. At some point I will get around to fixing it but for now there are more important fixes, read any of a number of other posts I have or the paint one I am about to post.
Thanks for all the help and laughs,
Cbass
I plan on driving this old girl all year round, so there is not season and I guess you are right if it isnt a bad leak then might as well just put a towel under there in the garage and watch that it isnt leaking a ton. At some point I will get around to fixing it but for now there are more important fixes, read any of a number of other posts I have or the paint one I am about to post.
Thanks for all the help and laughs,
Cbass