During one of My routine checks I found something out of the ordinary (always find oil under the getrag) the tranny was about 1/16" away from the bellhousing and the bolts were loose so I pulled them one by one cleaned them and put them back with plenty of permatex locktite medium strength which is all I have at the time. I see this is a weak point with this engine shaking so hard and no mounting to hold them together a little better, makes Me hate the getrag even more. I wish there was a good tranny to replace it with but all I see so far has weak links as well which makes it hard to trade the getrag for new problems.

Check those bolts guys.

 

thats not something to blame on the getrag. could happen to any trans. good thing you caught it. be careful using locktite on aluminum

 

if your bolts were loose, id check the center pilot whenever you have the tranny out again, thats where you get alot of support, the bolts just hold it tight, when i bought my 89, someone had put 3/8 bolts clear through the bellhousing and tranny, i drilled it out to 1/2 and put a helicoil in the bellhousing, tourqued them to 110ft lbs and she was set to go with allittle lock tight

 

Yeah, not sure how it has anything to do with the Getrag.

The pilot bushing is probably toast at this point because of the trans moving around, you ought to replace it ASAP before it takes out the input shaft.

 

That is what I mean I never finish working on this getrag, when it is not one thing it is another, but of course the fault is mine and My ability to work on it. I was thinking what about a cross member at the end of the engine beginning of the tranny with a mount to support this area, would this be a good idea?

Thank You.

Btw, what should I use instead of locktite?

 

That can (and does) happen to any transmission with a removable bellhousing, if you are worried about it happening in the future then just put a wrench on those bolts every time you do an oil change to make sure they are tight. I don't think that adding a crossmember will keep them from vibrating loose.

 

I saw these locking bolts in diesel power. They are hollow in the middle with a allen head all thred you tighten

 

I would simply drill the heads and install stainless steel safety wire between each bolt. If it is installed and twisted correctly they will not come loose.

Or you could install a locking tab under each bolt then after it is tightened you bend the tab over on the bolt head.

I have used both methods on transit coaches.

Incase you have never heard of safety wiring bolts or would like to learn how here are a few links on the subject.

In the Military and Aerospace every fastener and fitting is safety wired either to the next bolt or stationary body.

http://www.whizwheels.com/Tips/safetywiring.html

http://volvospeed.com/Mods/safety_wire.html


Jim

 

Well thank You, I'll look into that. In case someone didn't notice this is a ford WITH a cummins and getrag, the engine mounts don't allow the engine to stay put it I remove the tranny, I have to hold it with a stand underneath if I want to remove the tranny so I don't think that helps but makes things worst. I'll still look into a mount in this area to help things a bit. I can't remove the tranny at this time of the year so I hope there isn't much damage to it is shifts the same as always and later I can pull it and replace what ever needs to be.

Thank You.

 

Hmm... You may need to check your bellhousing alignment as well since it was hanging like that and rattling around. You could end up eating inputs alive...

 

Norlock lock washers are very good ken

 

I can't pull the tranny now until the middle of the winter so I hope it is not as bad, it shifts the same it always has. Since I will have to pull it what about replacing the input shaft bushing with a bearing if so what bearing part #, I read a lot of opinions but all different. I already rebuild this tranny once so I'll see how long it will last (I will shim it again and replace the input shaft seal if necessary) and next time if I still want this one I will replace the syncross too so it will hold 2nd every time.