Hi Mark

The front pump seal is available from Concours Parts Part Number 7A-248 ($11.15). They even do the boot over the rear seal now as well. Part Number 7053.

Great people to do business with.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Welcome to the forum, you'll get lots of good help here AND opinions.

Pulling your engine in the bird is really simple. I've done alone many times. There is another post here somewhere about some different ways to do it.

An important safety note is in any case make sure your engine lift has adequate length legs on it to support the weight and angle at which you will be operating. This can go wrong in a split second.

Some go from the side. I go from the front, first removing the hood. which can also be removed by one person with a picker. And I always pull the tranny with it.

Because of the nature of most pickers, they don't quite want to reach into the engine bay far enough on tbirds, the 57 is worse because of the depth of the front bumper. You could remove it (An extra PIA) or like I suggested get extensions for the picker, or go from the side. (never used this method).

You can also have one of your friends (pick a weighty one) stand on the back end of the picker. (not a recommended method) but i have done it.

My vote is to get some exts. for the picker and be safe, not sorry.



On the trans you sound like you have it diagnosed, are you going to have it done or diy? Myself, I farm that work out.

BTW that trans is a pretty good one but heavy, there are ways to improve it as per the Hoosier hurricane. But it's your call. Depends on what hp you want to make with the 312? In most cases street use,etc. I would rebuild it and drive it.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Thanks John, that advice eases my back vertebrae significantly. I guess the next obvious question is where to find the seals I need.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I find it easier to separate the engine from the transmission and pulling them separately.  Don't have to deal with the extreme angle required to pull them as a unit.  If you are only doing the front pump and converter seals, you don't have to pull the trans with the engine out of the way.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

The first chore I have to get the 57Tbird 312 up to snuff is a Fordomatic leak. The trans works fine and has for 12 years or more. It feels like it may have been "shift-kitted" at some point as it will bark the tires on a full throttle 1-2 upshift. I had the car up on a rack with the starter out some years ago and determined (if I remember correctly) that the fluid was coming from either the front pump seal or the torque converter. The fact that working on the trans meant pulling the engine/trans together stopped me from getting that done. The time has come to repair it. I have a good cherry picker, full set of Snapon tools from my old days as a Ford Tech, large garage, etc. so no excuses there. Any advice on this job will appreciated.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto