Cracked Transmission Case

1

1950F1

Member
I have a T87D Heavy Duty 3speed truck transmission and the case is cracked at the buldge for the reverse gear. Looks to be a weak casting and is about three inches. It does not seem to be in a vital area that gets stressed but definately seeps solvent as it was discovered during cleaning and overhaul of craigslist find. I have a Wanted post for another but thought I would pick the brains of experience and see if anyone can suggest a fix as part searches can go on forever. Can these things be welded?
 
You might check out Cast Iron Repair Specialists in north Marysville, WA. They do a lot of heads, blocks, etc. (360) 657-7660
 
1st. Find out why it cracked. They don't do that on a regular basis.
2nd. I would get another transmission or replacement case.
Cast iron repairs are very difficult and never seem to hold up.
These transmissions are out there. As a matter a fact there's an ford stake body in the woods on my buddy's property. I'll check and see if it has the transmission.
 
1950F1 said:
I have a T87D Heavy Duty 3speed truck transmission and the case is cracked at the buldge for the reverse gear. Looks to be a weak casting and is about three inches. It does not seem to be in a vital area that gets stressed but definately seeps solvent as it was discovered during cleaning and overhaul of craigslist find. I have a Wanted post for another but thought I would pick the brains of experience and see if anyone can suggest a fix as part searches can go on forever. Can these things be welded?
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I can remember seeing many posts on the old Barn about folks who had these HD truck transmissions and had no use for them. Some were offering the cases, gears, and sometimes the complete transmission FREE to a good home. Maybe one of these good guys will come forward now and help you out with a case in better condition. You may also want to contact Mac VanPelt. He may be able to give you some good advice on fixing your case or maybe he could set you up with a better used case. JM
 
As mentioned above, first determine exactly why the case cracked. If the crack isn't structural then it is certainly a candidate for repair. Brazing is the easiest method and anyone familiar with brazing can make this repair. Welding is also an option but is slightly of a more technical nature usually requiring pre-heating/post-heating and welding with high nickel filer rods.
I would not be afraid to use a properly repaired case but if a replacement case could be located economically I would just replace the case.
 
Read here and google metal stitching.

I have stitched heads and blocks with good results. There are a few different companies. Just a crack in a case would be fairly straight forward.Easy for the home shop not much tooling required.The cost of the pins and kit may be more than a swap meet trans would be.

Ronnie
 
I agree with Ross, year's ago we brazied lots of cast iron parts. I have parts on printing presses that are in use currently that were repaired via brazing many years ago.
 
Thanks for the replies . . . I found a replacement case thanks to Ford Barn Want ads. !!!!! Wow - am I happy. Thanks again to all who read and responded.

Regards Carl
 
Finding a new case. That sure makes it easy and it means no ticks for me going in the woods:).
Best of luck with your project.
 
Glad you found another case. I just wanted to describe another possible fix for cracks that my high school auto shop teacher described to us for repairing freeze cracks in the sides of old Chevy sixes. Small machine screws were threaded into the cracks spaced about every inch or so. Then sealer such as Bars Leak was added to the radiator. The screws were intended to keep the iron on either side of the crack from moving and breaking the bond of the leak stop. For a transmission case I think you could use the green Loctite for a sealer. I've never had the occasion to do this but I think it would be worth a try.
 
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