Transmission trouble!

Discussion in '1947-1954' started by Bilbo, Mar 15, 2017.

  1. Bilbo1

    Bilbo1 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2017
    Messages:
    22
    I've been off the sight for, apparently too long, as my I.D. was removed by "housekeeping". Thanks to Bill H for the update on my Borg Warner T89. As a follow up to the overhaul... I know there aren't many like this out there because a manual transmission GURU that I've been working with said he hasn't seen a 'live one' like it in 50 years! He rounded up enough replacement parts, most of which are the same as a BW T85, for me to overhaul my tranny. This tranny also has much in common with the next iteration, the T90, (used in lots of Jeeps). FYI, if you have any of these three models, and need to work on it, I've got some advice for you. When replacing the input shaft bearing and shield, the shield goes Inboard of the bearing, (that's inside the transmission). If you place it outboard, as it appears to belong in the exploded view I have, the transmission will discharge oil through the 'nose cone', thoroughly lubricating the clutch disc, and all associated parts! Additionally, there is a seal available, which is for the T90, that seals between the nose cone and the input shaft of all 3 models. ( it is: Omix-Ada 18880.44, available from Amazon as one source) Without this seal, and even with the bearing shield in the correct location, my tranny still spews some oil on the clutch. Accordingly, I will be R&R ing my tranny for the 3rd time to install said seal! I must thank my transmission specialist for all his help. His name is Earl Zimmer, Located in Baton Rouge, La. earlzimmergears@msn.com He went out of his way to help me with parts, and made himself available by phone "whenever You need help".
     
  2. 50 Chevy LS3

    50 Chevy LS3 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    Messages:
    951
    Location:
    Indiana
    Sounds like you were fotunate to find this old school, trans. guy.
    I guess at least you've had quite an education, and, now know what wrenches to grab when you roll under it on a creeper.
    Hope you get it right, and are done with it soon.

    Steve.
     
  3. Bill Hanlon

    Bill Hanlon Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2002
    Messages:
    2,721
    Location:
    Fredericksburg TX
    He doesn't crawl under, he gets me and his buddy Bud to do the dirty work. :)
     
  4. Bilbo1

    Bilbo1 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2017
    Messages:
    22
    Looks like I'll be "grunting" this time as Bill has moved away to get out of it, and Bud is having hip replacement for similar reason! I have, however, removed it myself before, and yep, I think I know what wrenches to take under with me. May want a "fetch and grab it" man though.
     
  5. vwnate1

    vwnate1 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2000
    Messages:
    11,643
    Location:
    AMERICA !
    Pretty nice .

    Easy to repair/overhaul, expect t spend some time sourcing bits & pieces .

    often the cluster gear turns out to have bushings instead of roller bearings, the roller bearings are heavy duty and found in Sedan Deliveries, Taxis and Cop cars too so don't despair .

    Remember to go to harbor Freight and buy some tiny disc shaped rare earth magnets and put one on the filler plug, one on the drain plug and one in the final drive too ~ the amount of SWARF they collect will scare you but it's normal, adding the magnets makes everything last longer .

    Looking at your first pic. with the rusty U-Joint ball, I'd say you ran it low on oil awhile, that's death to trannies .
     
  6. Bilbo1

    Bilbo1 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2017
    Messages:
    22
    Nate, That first pic was when I was doing the restoration, not after the failure. I did install magnets in the drain and fill plugs though.
     
  7. vwnate1

    vwnate1 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2000
    Messages:
    11,643
    Location:
    AMERICA !
    Okey - Doke ;

    I recently got a set of photos asking for help on a noisy final drive ~ the pinion teeth were all knife edged and some had _divots_ missing, the bearing races all had serious pits like the car had sat with water in there for a few years :eek: .

    He was asking me if I thought he'd need any new parts in there or just a crush sleeve and adjust........
     
  8. Bilbo

    Bilbo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
    Messages:
    682
    Location:
    Magnolia, Texas
    Well, I had some help and pulled tranny. Added a seal on input shaft and put nose flange on. Reinstalled with new clutch, pressure plate and bearing. She's not back on the road because I removed wiper transmissions to install new ones, and Christmas travels interferred. Also...no pics of the work! DUH! Will have to put a couple of hundred miles to see if I've solved the leak.
     
  9. Bill Hanlon

    Bill Hanlon Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2002
    Messages:
    2,721
    Location:
    Fredericksburg TX
    Did you find just a clutch disk or did you have to pop for a whole kit Bill?
     
  10. Bilbo

    Bilbo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
    Messages:
    682
    Location:
    Magnolia, Texas
    I had to buy the whole kit, but not the kaboodle. Bill, I 've wiped out your phone #, so give a call when you can, please. (I did not drop phone in the pool!)
     
  11. Bilbo

    Bilbo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
    Messages:
    682
    Location:
    Magnolia, Texas
    Update on transmission... Still not back on the road as I'm now working on fuel tank recovery system, (on a different thread, "what happened to my paint?" But almost done with that mod, and expect to be back on the road later this week.
     
  12. Bill Hanlon

    Bill Hanlon Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2002
    Messages:
    2,721
    Location:
    Fredericksburg TX

    Bill: I'll be in your part of the state Thursday noonish and could probably lend a hand then. Will probably leave Friday. Maybe I could help you stab the tranny.
     
  13. Bilbo

    Bilbo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
    Messages:
    682
    Location:
    Magnolia, Texas
    Thanks Bill. The transmission install is complete. I just haven't gotten the truck out of the shop yet due to other work being done. If you wanna come over, we could have lunch though, and no heavy lifting!
     

Share This Page