VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 tranny question

Hello everybody!
Just to learn more about my 1940.
Runs wonderful now, but the tranny leaks a bit oil. Not much, but enough to get in trouble with friends after a visit and they see their place is marked by an oil spot.
It is just some drops, normally nothing to worry about. But I dont like it. As I could see it comes from the left side where the gearshift linkage goes inside.
I am still looking for the 1940 parts book but did not find one yet.

I guess there should be a seal or anything else at the shaft of the linkage, am I right? Found something looking like that in the FS catalogue. Have to ask Steve Kassis too.

Is it complicate to change?

Regards
Stefangermany

Stefan, Ebay has several Chevy parts manuals. Average price about $39-59 American Dollars. Hope that helps.

Hi, Do you have a 1940 Service Manual? Also, if you haven't done so, you might want to think about getting the 1940 Service Bulletins. There is a guy who sells them through the ads in the G & D. If you get them, you will need both 1939 and 1940 as the 1940 actually came out in 1939 and Service Bulletins were written for them for the last few months of 1938. Also, do you have a 1940 Fisher Manual of Construction and Service? These are a couple of resources that will really help you out. Beamer

Stefan,
Can you determine if the source for the drip is coming from the side plate or the shaft?

If it is the plate, you can take it off and cut a new one out of gasket material or just use a good "gasket maker" 3M product or Permatex or whatever you got over there.

If it is the shaft, then you may need a new seal (I don't know if there is one in there or not, but I assume so).

If the source is both, then you need to do both fixes.

Also, you may consider the heavier of the two oils and go with 80W-140 instead of the 80W-90. It has the consistency of molasses and cures all kinds of things - rattles, chatter, and seeping through tiny places. If you fill the transmission with the 140 and wipe it off before you go, say 150 kilometers, the drip will probably not drop until you get back home. (But the rear main will so you will still leave a mess. Just not as big of one.

Good luck with it.
Best,
Charlie

BTW: Because it is a Chevrolet 216 it is going to leak oil. Accordingly, you may want to consider parking it in the street when visiting friends. And, further, because it is NOT a 41 you may also want to consider your friends feelings and so, to avoid the risk unduly embarrassing them, park it FAR DOWN the street and out of sight of their immediate neighbors. They'll appreciate it and the kilometer (or two) walk will probably do you good. It helps to not wear out your welcome. You know. You are welcome.

Charlie, If that 41' isn't leaking any oil.... maybe you should put in five more quarts.

BTW: Shucks!.. ever time I fixed an oil leak on my car... It would just start leaking somewhere else.

BTW2: I think they leak to mark their spot where ever they go.

There are cork seals with a metal cup used in that location. would think you could find a nice O ring to do the job better.

Stefen...Charlie Did not tell you about the "FIX" that they use "down home" were he comes from...That is a secret the NC mountain folks won't tell outsiders..It's the "Code Of The Mountains"....But being I am in the U.S. Government witness protection program I can talk.

The Boys in North Carolina when they have a leaky anything they don't want anyone to know (it's a macho thing)...in a case where they need a Gasket for their leak (like for their transmission side plate) They go out in the road and pick up a fresh road kill ( preferable a dead possum ) skin it and cut a gasket out of the hide.... Down in that part of the country that's a good reason for a "shin dig" ( Fest...In German ) they drag the car home and run the two wheels on the drivers side up on the front porch,to get the right tilt, take out the fill plug from the side of the transmission, Pass out the old "Brown's Mule" brand chewing tobacco and see who can spit and hit the transmission fill hole the most. when the transmission is full of ( What they call 80W-140)....They spend the rest of the evening reminiscing about all of the past town splitters who have gone to the big cuspidor in the sky.

BTW.....If you lived in NC and your car leaked oil you would be invited to everyone's home at any time, they love leaky cars because it covered their driveway with oil and helps to keep the dust down....Of course they would have a hard time A'knowing when "companies A'coming" because they could not see the dust cloud and run to ring a chickens neck for supper......ED

Ed,
You ain't just right, you know that?

Anyway, we down here actually drive the passenger side up on the porch. The filler hole is on that side not tother one.

Anyhow, I enjoy your comments. Even at my expense. Big Grin.
Charlie

BTW: I've been to Cincinnati, OH. Once.

Hi Stefen, If the leak is at the shift fork then Chevs of the 40's sells the Shift Fork Seal for 1940-1955 transmissions for $12.50 a set. This a simple repair for you and I'm sure you will enjoy doing it.

The rest of you guys need to know that Stefan's car does not have a leaking real seal. When we visited each other in Munich one of the first things we did was put a blanket down and take a good look under the car. To my amazement their were no leaks anywhere except a drop or two from the transmission. Knowing Stefan he will never be satisfied until there are no leaks period. Good luck, Mike

You know Charlie..I may have seen you when you came to Cincinnati that One Time.....Was you the guy walking around downtown wearing the Seersucker suit with the bow tie,the brown and white pointy shoes and the little flat straw hat...walking around gaping up in the air with awe at them there tall city buildings?????....ED