Transmission / Overdrive: How to prepare new-in-box 1959 transmission?

[garyash]

For my '63 Standard wagon, I decided to go with an overdrive transmission for modern roads. Dave Thibeault came up with a 1549306 OD transmission from 1959, still in its original crate. It's the same length and interface as the '63 version, a few different internals.

So, it's been sitting since 1959. There isn't any oil in it now, I suspect it got drained for transport at some time in the past, if it ever had any. I pulled the cover off, everything looks good and still a film of oil on most everything. I've been wondering what I should do before I put it in the car. I'm thinking that I should flush it with kerosene and replace the rear seal just because it's 53 years old. I don't see a front seal listed in the parts catalog - is there one?

Any other suggestions on what to do to this transmission before it goes in?

[DEEPNHOCK]

IIRC, There is no front seal in that trans.
There is an 'oil slinger' on the input shaft.
I also concur that R&R'ing the rear seal is cheap insurance,
But I would suggest that a flush is not needed, as long as the unit was sealed up.
I would just run it a while and then change the fluid.
But that's just my opinion.
Jeff

[skyway]

I second Jeff's idea.
If I was gonna do anythng else, it would be a complete disassembly and inspection so's to eyeball ALL those little roller bearing "pins" inside the cluster, and other such hidden stuff.

[SN-60]

Now there's something You don't see everyday. Wonder if Dave has any four-speeds like that?

[StudeRich]

It's pretty simple, someone got to one of the Studebaker Automotive Sales Corp. Warehouses maybe Plant 8 South Bend, Newman & Altman or the new SASCO BEFORE Ed Reynolds or you did, when V-8 Trannies were still there!

Just fill er up with GL1 85-90 mineral Gear oil from NAPA.

[garyash]

This transmission fits 6 cylinder cars. Ed Reynolds still has some other ones in stock (see latest catalog), but not T-10 4-speeds.