50 Ford ****** leak question?

53ash

53ash

Member
Just got the 50 back up and running. In the course of cleaning and rebuilding stuff, I added gear oil to the trans/OD units, and it promptly ran out the back seal.(Did not pull the motor or ******, just rebuilt the top end of the motor)
I Pulled the drive shaft, installed new u-joints, and a new rear seal in the ******. Filled back with gear oil. Ran out the back again.
Would this likely be the rear bearing in the OD unit or the metalic sleeve in the rear of OD unit. I remember replacing the "sleeve" in my Merc OD when I changed the seal (they came together as a set). Don't know if the sleeve helps center the output shaft or ? Just thought I would ask before taking everything apart. Thanks Hugh
 
It the slip yoke a tight fit with the seal? That bushing in the back is for the slip yoke to ride on and help keep the tail shaft centered.

How much gear lube are you using in the tail housing? I think it takes about 1 lb of 90 weight back there. 3 1/2 lb in the main gear case.
 
I'm guessing I need to replace the bushing/sleeve. I wondered if it was there to guide or center the yoke. I didn't notice any real unusual side movement in the yoke, but I really didn't spend a lot of time checking. I assumed the seal was just bad, and changed ujoints for good measure.
 
As for gear lube, I fill the back then the front to the plug holes on the side of ******. Is that correct?
 
I am having lube leaking out the rear of my transmission. It is a 34 3 speed. Could I be having the same problem? What needs to be done to fix this? Could I do it in my driveway?

Thanks

Rich
 
53ash
Some transmissions were filled to the filler hole and some were not. If you have play with your slip yoke it could distort the seal under load and cause some leakage. I'm not sure if that tail shaft bearing is supposed to have a baffle or not. The Ford lubrication instructions for the overdrive transmissions leave a lot to be desired

Zurekbrau
The older transmissions with the torque tube drive have a baffle that fits in front of the rear bearing in the trasmission case that is supposed to keep most of the oil in there. If your car sits forward on a driveway with a downhill rear slant it may leak a little till it finds a new level. You get some oil that separates from certain greases that might be used in the U-joint area that can leak out but it shouldn't be much. If your car sits with a downhill attitude oil can run forward from the rear axle housing. Most early Fords leak a little but sometimes it needs thicker gear lube like an SAE 140 weight if you have been using SAE 90.
 
rotorwrench said:
53ash


Zurekbrau
The older transmissions with the torque tube drive have a baffle that fits in front of the rear bearing in the trasmission case that is supposed to keep most of the oil in there. If your car sits forward on a driveway with a downhill rear slant it may leak a little till it finds a new level. You get some oil that separates from certain greases that might be used in the U-joint area that can leak out but it shouldn't be much. If your car sits with a downhill attitude oil can run forward from the rear axle housing. Most early Fords leak a little but sometimes it needs thicker gear lube like an SAE 140 weight if you have been using SAE 90.
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I was parked with a downward slant and did notice more leakage than normal. Thank you for telling me why.

Rich
 
make sure got the right type of seal, some places sell a replacement that is not as good as the old thick type. usually when you fill the trans from the main front fill hole. the oil runs back to the o.d. unit thru a hole. it is not two seperate fill chambers, unless somebody put the wrong gasket that blocks the internal hole. did your yoke have a deep grove worn in it?
 
No groove at all. The reason I fill at both plugs, I was told by the old gentleman that taught me to rebuild the OD units, that he had seen lots of sun/planatary gears gauled up because of no oil back there. He said to fil OD first and then the front plug just to make sure. I know about the cross over hole, just has been a habit for years.

I'm thinking that the rear seal I put in was kinda weak looking. Maybe I'll see if I can find an old school seal that's heavier made, like your talking about. Thanks
 
This leak is really working on me. New bushing, and seal (old heavy duty style). All is well, but still have a leak. Seems to be coming out around the splines on the output shaft. I have not had one leak there before, and don't have a clue how to stop it. Any ideas ???? Thanks Hugh
 
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