54 Tranny question

[Guy M.]

I uncovered my chasis recently to find the tranny seeping on the right side servo cover again. I had the cover checked for warpage and it is straight. My old builder said not to put any kind of sealer on it and torque it down to spec starting from the middle and working to the outside. Well I did all that and it still seeps slightly. Have any of you used any type of sealer on transmission Gaskets? Of course its a new gasket. Getting too close to body drop, now is the time to STOP it. Maybe this is common but it shouldnt leak! Thanks again

[Peter R.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

I'm not surprised that the gasket alone (without sealer) is not sealing the cover. Back in the good old days, I would have used a shellac type gasket cement on both sides of the gasket. I think that would seal it up pretty well.

Pete

[Joe L.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

I uncovered my chasis recently to find the tranny seeping on the right side servo cover again. I had the cover checked for warpage and it is straight. My old builder said not to put any kind of sealer on it and torque it down to spec starting from the middle and working to the outside. Well I did all that and it still seeps slightly. Have any of you used any type of sealer on transmission Gaskets? Of course its a new gasket. Getting too close to body drop, now is the time to STOP it. Maybe this is common but it shouldnt leak! Thanks again

Guy-----


I have absolutely no experience with this particular application. However, I cannot imagine why it would have been suggested that you use no sealer, especially if you are having a leak. I can understand why this application might be especially sensitive to the over-application of sealer resulting in internal "squeeze-out". However, you should be able to control this by the careful and judicious application of the sealer.

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

Well hanks for the input, which sealer on this sensitive part would you use? Peratex-3 or 3-M weather strip adhesive on both sides. Permatex-1 dries hard but 3 will not. it is a very thin gasket.

[Joe L.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

Well hanks for the input, which sealer on this sensitive part would you use? Peratex-3 or 3-M weather strip adhesive on both sides. Permatex-1 dries hard but 3 will not. it is a very thin gasket.

Guy-----


I would not use weatherstrip cement for an application like this. I would use a shellac-type sealer (Indian Head, for example) as Peter suggested or, better yet, Permatex Ultra Black or Ultra Copper RTV. These sealers are excellent for oil or transmission fluid sealing. However, you want to apply a minimal amount to avoid "squeeze-out". Indian Head is a hardening-type sealer. The RTV's are, of course, non-hardening.

[Robert J.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

It's fairly common for them to seep. Especially after sitting a few weeks. The Converter will bleed back into the main body and cause overflow. The seal on the dip stick tube is also a culprit.

My converter was bleeding back and the cure was to replace the inner valve body and main shaft and bushings. The valve body is just a machined fit. When the main shaft bushings get sloppy the shaft wheres out the hole in the valve body letting the oil slowly ooze back into the transmission (and the floor) Hope this helps bob

[Peter R.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

Bob, Thanks for solving the mystery of the puddle of transmission fluid that appears on my garage floor from time to time. I did eventually realize at some point that it was coming out of the dipstick tube, but didn't understand why, until now.

Pete

[Troy P.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

Put a new "O" ring on the dipstick tube.

[John S.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

It's fairly common for them to seep. Especially after sitting a few weeks. The Converter will bleed back into the main body and cause overflow. The seal on the dip stick tube is also a culprit.

My converter was bleeding back and the cure was to replace the inner valve body and main shaft and bushings. The valve body is just a machined fit. When the main shaft bushings get sloppy the shaft wheres out the hole in the valve body letting the oil slowly ooze back into the transmission (and the floor) Hope this helps bob

i agree with bob that the valve body being worn where the input shaft metal oil ring rides is the most likely reason for drainback and the only cure is a new valve body. what also has to be looked at is the clutch drum(where the outer rings on the valve body ride in the drum). if the bore of the drum is grooved the metal rings will not seal 100% and the torque converter will leak down.

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

Are valve bodys even available these days?? Thanks for all your help guys!!

[John S.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

i found the valve body on ebay. it is important that you ask the condition of the bore in the valve body. when finding the casting number you need to go to the chevy part books, not the 53-55 corvette part book. corvette book only shows part number. valve body for 53-55 six is located in section 4.216 and the casting number on the valve is 3703296.

[Robert J.]

Re: 54 Tranny question

There's a guy in S. Calif. who re manufactures them. I'll try and remember his name....... I have a friend (tool and die maker) who says he can sleeve my old one. I think taking your's to a machinist and have him sleeve it might be the way to go.
There is also a filter under the dip stick cover that will clog and cause leaks (rare).