Classic/Antique Car Repair/lincoln hydramatic

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Expert: - 12/26/2007


Question
dear sir i have a 49 lincoln with a trans leak i need help before i pull the transmission the leak is coming from the access pan the flywheel and torrex are dry it is coming from the inside of the case dose this trans have a main seal.thank you jack

Answer
I love modern technology when working on old cars. If you check out the following site, http://www.autobarn.net you will find that they sell a leak detector kit, the florescent dye type, for just over 30 bucks. I did a job like this recently where the leak was about of a mystery. We added the dye, ran the car until the leak dribbled some oil on the floor, then pulled the transmission. The fluorescent dye led us to a core plug on the unit that was not seated correctly. We would have done just as the previous technician had done, replacing the front pump seal and gasket and then still ended up with a leak. To answer your original question there is a gasket on the front pump and a seal to the hub on the torus. And a few more places that oil can leak from. the dye will leave a trail right to the leak.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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