Anyone's 904 Torqueflite Not Leaking or Dripping ATF?

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dibbons

dibbons

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La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
A local Mexican transmission shop "re-built" the original 904 in our '65 Formula S some months ago. Just today got it all buttoned up and see "minor" drips front and rear: a) from the tailshaft (bolt on ball and trunnion set-up) and b) from behind the flexplate cover. I'm not mentally prepared to tear anything apart again any time soon. Hopefully not serious enough to prevent driving around the neighborhood once in awhile.
 
I replaced all the seals on my 727 a few years back. No more drips and leaks on the garage floor.....I thought I forgot to fill it. ;)
 
For the pan gasket I use the late model 99 jeep cherokee auto trans reusable rubber ones and never had a problem. Also you can use the Dorman deeper pan just remember to get a filter extension.
 
Cuz dude, that's not a Mexican transmission! That's an AMERICAN made transmission! Mexican transmissions are spelled, "transmision".. A transmission rebuild that leaks = WORTHLESS. A transmission rebuild that shifts great and doesn't leak = PRICELESS! Same thing about a warranty on a leaking slush-shifting transmission = WORTHLESS!
 
They shouldn’t leak a drop. But it can take some time, trial and error to get there.
 
Lol my has been dripping from the tail shaft seal since I rebuilt it last year with a new seal... it also still has a touch of a "flare" up when shifting... well, the transmission fits the car perfectly by being "not" so perfect...

Oh... and I drive the balls off this thing. The transmission was actually rattling, creaking and grinding last week (sounds I never heard from the transmission or linkage before) when I was hot rodding the car getting it to downshift at 45ish mph and take off like a rocket after picking my kids up from school. :steering:

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Had mine " rebuilt on the bench " for 300 bucks 12 years ago. It had about 700 miles on it, from a prior rebuild, but sat 10 years or so. I heard the clutchs wick up fluid and get funny. Anyhow, works good, but has been puking out the shift shaft seal since I got it in....dammit. 727
 
I have a 904 race built by A&A, has been in the 68 Barracuda three + years. Has never leaked a drop.
 
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DentalDart said:
Lol my has been dripping from the tail shaft seal since I rebuilt it last year with a new seal... it also still has a touch of a "flare" up when shifting... well, the transmission fits the car perfectly by being "not" so perfect...

Oh... and I drive the balls off this thing. The transmission was actually rattling, creaking and grinding last week (sounds I never heard from the transmission or linkage before) when I was hot rodding the car getting it to downshift at 45ish mph and take off like a rocket after picking my kids up from school. :steering:

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Probably need a new tail shaft bushing..
 
DentalDart said:
Lol my has been dripping from the tail shaft seal since I rebuilt it last year with a new seal... it also still has a touch of a "flare" up when shifting... well, the transmission fits the car perfectly by being "not" so perfect...
Click to expand...
Hey Doc. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

My guess about most seal leaks around slip parts is the slip part has grouves warn into it and the new seal can't seal propperly. If the slip yoke was reground and polished it would probably seal like new.

Same with the seal to the torque converter, rear pinion yoke, rear axle, front and rear crank.

I have pads that are used under incontinent patients under my dart. So many individual dots from every park in the garage.
 
There is an exposed kickdown pivot pin that leaked on mine. As well as sector shaft that I finally replaced. Had to drain fluid and goop up pin to get that one to seal.
 
Here’s a temporary (or permanent hack) to soak up the leakage while you hem and haw as to whether you want to tear it all apart. I made this diaper holding thingamabob to bolt into the bottom two inspection cover holes. I used two maxi-pads (for heavy days) :eek: I found in the bathroom and packed them (orange towel shown for reference) into the aluminum angles that I whittled together that bolts in place. I had a good drip from the front seal and put off fixing things correctly. I put on about 600 miles or so before I needed to change out the tampons. Don’t laugh, :rofl:as it worked and I got to run at the track a few times :steering:before I finally decided it was time to fix things.:)

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Yeah, it’s a keeper!
 
72Dinger said:
You sure it's not the shift shaft seal just above the pan?
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Its the pan I thought the same but this last time a laid under the car after putting the fluid in I could watch the gasket soak and then start leaking I think its just a bad pan. I got another one I just been putting off installing it.
 
Besides the shift shaft seal that gets overlooked and applying some thread sealer to the plug for the K/D lever plug most people overlook the seal for the dipstick tube and making sure the tube is properly seated in the case and secured.

Cliff Ramsdell
 
After turning around the '65 Formula S in the driveway for the first time since drivetrain has been re-installed after body restoration, it stopped moving both forward and reverse (just stuck in place). Seems like the park sprag won't release.

Going to look at the cable that controls that later today. I can feel the transmission lurch a little changing gears from reverse to drive and back again, but it feels like the brakes are set.
 
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