So the shop that did the flex plate on my 56 sunliner apparently tightened one of the rear trans bolts too much (it was too long anyways) and it punched a hole in the trans casing.  If you look at the Ford-O, the rear mounting pad integral to the tailshaft housing has two "ears" that the bolts thread into.  One of these (cant remember which side) got too long/tight and put a hole in the bottom of a bulge in the trans case - hole is directly above the bolt hole - ... looks like there should be a solenoid or spring cup or something in there... and its leaking fluid like mad.  Shop and I are arguing about whose fault it is, but in the meantime, i have a real problem i need some expert advice on.  As I see it, choices are:

Heliarc the hole - i dont know what is on the other side of the hole, so will anything internal be damaged?  Trans still work ok? 

Replace the tailshaft housing (assuming i can find another one) - how much "stuff" is in the tailshaft housing?  Can it come apart easily, or are there a bunch of things in there that a trans shop is needed for?  Can it come off while the rest of the trans is still in the car?

I have no clue about transmissions, so im not sure what the best course of action is?  I dont even know what other questions/info I need to provide to get to an answer/plan?  Any and all thoughts or info is greatly appreciated - I just got off the phone with the guy at the shop, and we are trying to figure out what to do quickly, so I really need/want/am begging for insight/wisdom to get this resolved.

Thanks!!!!!!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Ron:

The governor is the closest thing to the mount.  That and the speedometer gear are all that's in the tail housing.  I doubt if a welder would be willing to try to weld it in the car, the oil from inside will keep contaminating the weld.  The housing will come off by taking out the 5 bolts.  Hold the shaft in while pulling the housing off so the rear thrust washer won't drop out.  Then you can clean it up and get it welded, or replace it if you can find one.

I'll bet the trans shop guy put the bolt in with an impact wrench, had no idea it had bottomed out.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John,

Thanks for the quick reply.  I really appreciate it.

The hole is on the drvrs side.  Local trans guy said it shouldnt be a problem to clean up and fix.  The shop is trying to get the tailshaft housing off as we speak.

One other question - any idea if the housing is AL or cast iron?

Thanks!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Ron:

Oh Oh, I completely missed the note that it is a convertible.  I'm not familiar with the frames in converts, hope the tail housing will come out.  It's aluminum.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John,

Thanks again for the insight/help.  I truly appreciate it.

I talked to the shop again today.  They indicated that they got the tailshaft housing out, and welded the outside of the case, and schmooeyed (my technical word, not theirs!) some JB Weld on the inside to help make sure there werent any pinholes, etc.  Ive never used that stuff before, but have heard good things about it.  Suppose this is an ok fix?

They indicated that they were going to cover the whole repair cost, but i offered to pay for some of it, since this probably wasnt all their fault - they were just the last straw.  I guess i bring that up to make sure that they arent just doing a quicky cheapo fix that wont last more than a season, etc.

Any thoughts?

Thanks again!  Id be lost without the help I have gotten here!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

As long as the area where the JB weld was applied was thoroughly cleaned, then I would not expect any issues with the JB weld itself.  I used it a good number of years ago on an aluminum head where water erosion had ate away an area between two combusion chambers and the JB Weld actually held for two years before actually having to pull the head again and weld it.  I've also seen JB weld being used on a number of blocks that had been freeze cracked at the rear and was holding up just fine after several years of service.  But, a small amount of silicone sealer or RTV on the threads in question would be a bit of added insurance though.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)