tranmission leaks

Irv · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 07:26 PM

Still have same problem. Asked before but never heard from anyone so I will try again. I have an ERA 427 model with a 351 Windsor and a Richmond five-speed. The transmission has developed two leaks -- at front and rear in the middle. This transmission is split in the middle with gaskets (I assume) and has some exterior sealant. I have had the car for five years and driven nearly 7000 miles with the same seals. The front leak started slowly this summer. It got bigger and was joined by the rear leak after a ship tightened the bolts, telling me that it would solve my leaks. Instead it made them worse. Question: does anyone have any similar experience with the Richmond transmission and/or with sealant applied from the outside? It now leaks about a table spoon of transmission fluid a week. I was hoping not to have to take the transmission apart to solve problem. Thanks for any advise.
Irv
oivind@cruiseindustrynews.com

Cal Metal · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 07:52 AM

The front is most likely a leak at the bearing retainer. If I am not mistaken the Richmond uses some form of planetary system for their overdrive in the rear? On most transmission it is not a big deal. Remove the tranny and replace the seal/gasket on the retainer. On the rear, pull off the tail, which mates with the main case, and replace that gasket. On most transmissions (Toploader/Muncie/Warner T-10) the tranny doesn't have to come apart from the standpoint of removing any gearing, main shaft bearings, etc. as the problems are located outside the main case, although there is a small issue on the Muncie/Warner T-10 regarding reverse gear being located in the tail---but even then, it is not a big deal. It is a half hour job, at most.

The middle leak may be from the shift cover that your transmission forks are attached to. Again, it is an easy fix and requires no major disassembly.

Cracker · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 08:20 AM

I have a Richmond 5sp as well and also have developed a leak at the front - most likely the bearing retainer. The difference here is that I had a precautionary overall while my motor was being rebuilt so this leak is particularly annoying. Like you I'm afraid the tranny is going to have to come out - arghh!

Let me know what you find as I am just topping off my tranny ever couple of weeks so I can tackle the problem later this fall. Best wishes!

Irv · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 08:49 AM

Thanks.

Back in Black · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 08:59 AM

AGAIN

Due to a very poor parts selection including o rings in the slave adaptor to the tranny

but it is all good this time because my 6 speed Richmond was also leaking up front, just like the above trannies

It was almost dry when the shop pulled it....if I had kept driving it I would have had no tranny.... apparently it was delivered to me like this because it was dry when first inspected/repaired! Good thing I only drove her around the neighborhood when i took delivery, and that I stopped driving her recently when the clutch started acting wimpy...We suspect that the leak could be the retainer as you say, but it also could be the front leading edge of the sealant. We are cracking the case and going to clean it up, inspect the internals and re-seal it , with new input output seals as well.

We are solving the slave cylinder problem by using AN fittings, which is what it SHOULD have had from the factory

not some hokey o-ring system that has now blown out twice (It was delivered with the o-ring blown out and part of my acceptance of it was the repair.. but the parts themselves were NOT correct, as we have now concluded.
Has anyone called Richmond? I did, and they tech (NOT a toll free # by the way

) said he could not imagine the sealant could leak... but I think it's like the proverbial 3 monkeys.. see no leak, hear of no leak, and speak of no leak

Try calling them and see what they tell you.. ( 864-843-9275 ) I think it's a design flaw and we should have redress.. my tranny did this from day one !!!

Back in Black · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 09:04 AM

Mine lost lube FAST there at the end... be very careful.. I would not take her out of town like this, in fact likely won't for several hundred miles with no leak.. these are not cheap trannies and it's also a hassle to R & R them...this tees me off cause I was planning to take my babe to Oktoberfest here in Washington. It's the last thing we wanted to do in my cobra before mothballs time

Cal Metal · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 11:45 AM

Irv:

I went over to a Richmond site, and, while the above suggestions still hold true, the Richmond is a "split case" tranny unlike a TL, Muncie, or Warner where the main case is just ONE cast piece. That is, the case is composed of two halves that are bolted together--much like a transaxle. That, unfortunately, adds one more potential area that could be responsible for the leak. Good luck.

Cracker · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 12:22 PM

BIB:

I hear your frustration and am sorry you’re dealing with these issues as well. Mines a little different because even after installing the hydraulic TO bearing unit from McLeod I experienced no leaking whatsoever. It wasn't until the tranny was overhauled that it leaked. In my case, and this is not flattering, I didn't check the front bearing retainer/HTO Bearing unit for bolt tightness before install - call me stupid. Obviously, this could be the culprit! Like I stated prior I'm enjoying mine this fall and keeping the fluids replenished until then. Best wishes!