1955 ford overdrive solenoid seal replacement

S

steve fritz

Well-known member
I have a slight transmission fluid leak ( just a drip or very slow drips), from my overdrive solenoid and was thinking it would probably be the shaft seal around the plunger of the solenoid. I see those seals are available and was wondering if the installation of that seal requires pulling the solenoid apart or is it removed and replaced from the front side , outside the can?
Any experience on how this is done? Any special tools needed? etc
Thanks for your comments from those who have had this experience.
Steve
 
It's the same seal that goes into the trans but the one in the solenoid can't be replaced without completely disassembling the solenoid. If oil is dripping from the solenoid drain hole that's not a good thing. Oil inside the solenoid will eventually cause it to fail. Since oil is getting past the seal in the trans you might try replacing that seal and cleaning up the inside of the solenoid as best you can with spray electrical contact cleaner.

There are several sources for new or rebuilt solenoids on an exchange basis.

https://www.vintageautogarage.com/Borg-Warner-12-Volt-6-Volt-Overdrive-Solenoid-p/odsrb.htm

Mac Van Pelt is another good source, just google Van Pelt Sales. Mac's a member of this forum.
 
Thanks for the plug......however, we no longer sell the OD solenoids. We do stock those seals. The one that fits into the adapter casting would be the easiest one to replace. The one in the solenoid definitely requires taking it apart. I’d try doing the adapter seal first. Always make sure to keep the drain hole in the cap clear and facing down.
 
I replaced my (adapter) seal when I replaced my solenoid. A couple of things: I'd buy one or two extras. If the solenoid doesn't get reinstalled correctly, or you need to remove it within a short period of time to address other issues, the seal apparently gets stressed and can only handle so many installation cycles. I think the seals are about 8 bucks, so not cheap but not horrible either.



The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that. Installation will be the reverse procedure, except that the solenoid has to be activated electrically so the shaft will extend to be able to reinstall the unit (then de-activated. This will pull the solenoid up to the OD housing, which will be an indication that the shaft is properly engaged with the pawl.) You probably need to buy the borg warner overdrive book from Randy Rundle. Or zoegrant has been working on his a lot lately so he probably has this procedure memorized by now.



My understanding is that Dobie is correct: oil inside the solenoid will wreck it.
 
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"The other thing is the solenoid needs to be turned a quarter turn for the shaft to be disengaged from the pawl when being removed. I.E., you remove the mounting bolts, turn the unit, then pull it out. Can't remember which direction to turn so maybe others can help with that."

Counterclockwise always works for me.
 
OVERDRIVE SOLENOIDS
We rebuild 6 or 12 volt overdrive solenoids.
We also stock new 6 and 12 volt solenoids along
with 6 or 12 volt relays.
Please either call us at 714-292-8660 or email us at
melmodela@aol.com Thanks
 
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