Transmission / Overdrive: Shift shaft seals - say that fast ten times !

[kustommusic]

My '62 Lark w/ DG250 or 200 not sure which, has a leak at the shift shaft seals. I bought some from Studebaker Intl. and am ready to replace them. My question is; Do I need to remove the valve body to access the nut at the end of the levers?

[TWChamp]

A picture would help, as I'm not familure with this tranny, but have replaced several shift shaft seals in other makes of automatics. I never had to remove a valve body, but would remove the nut and lever, then use a pick or sharp center punch to poke a hole and pry the seal out. If the shaft has rust, it's best to sand it off before sliding the new seal over it.

[dynolou2]

Yes you have to remove the nut at the end of the levers. When you remove the nut there is a ball and spring that is the shift detent it will fly out, locate all parts first. The valve body will have to be removed. I would suggest that you obtain a shop manual because this is not a simple repair as the borg warner model 12 that you are working on also has several tubes that will need to be removed and replaced. If you get this far a piece of 5/16 fuel line will help you replace the detent ball. Good Luck Lou Cote

[rkapteyn]

DG (Detroit Gear) transmissions were only used from 1950-56.
Only a few were used in 1956 , mainly to use up existing stock.
Since 1956 Studebakers were 12 Volt the few DG transmissions in 1956
had different starter gears.
!962 Larks used Borg Warner Flightomatics

[kustommusic]

Thanks to all for the replies and insight. I am still learning Studebaker ins and outs so my mistake on the trans identification. I guess it is a flightomatic then, and I do have a shop manual so I guess I take out the valve body. Is the ball and spring detent used in the flightomatic or is that just in the DG transmissions? Thanks again,Kustommusic

[dynolou2]

Ball and spring only in flight o matic . Lou Cote

[dynolou2]

Correction, flight o matic has the detent ball and spring in the case assembly,while the DG 200 - 250 series has the detent ball and spring assembly in the valve body. I had to get out my Hudson trans manual to refresh my memory. Hudson used DG series in 1954 following fire at GM's Hydramatic plant. Lou Cote

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[kustommusic]

UpDate. I have replaced the shift shaft seal seal on my Flight-o-matic Taxi (orange I.D. tag) trans. The brake line trick worked very well on the ball and spring detent (thanks Dynolou2). Now the bad news, after a test drive it started leaking again! Probably worse than before!! I guess I'll try it again (not much enthusiasm) as I think about it I could have been a little more careful on the installation of the seal. Hope that is all it is. Kustommusic

[dynolou2]

Did you replace both seals? The one in the case and the o ring that goes on the throttle valve shaft. I'm working on a 1957 model at present. The case seal is installed with the lip towards the inside, it should be flush with the case. I usually install using the backside of a 3/8 socket. Lou Cote