T86 Transmission time

 Snow is here and filling my engine bay.

The poor Frazer gets pushed down the priority list nearly every time, but things are still coming together.
The engine is nearly all there now and nearly all painted.

New clutch and temporary oil pressure gauge

The oil filter is clean and has a fresh filter cartridge. The starter is untouched and seems to be working fine. I even put in a new clutch plate.

Plus bell housing and starter

The exhaust manifold that was on it has a crack in an awkward to get at location, so I'm working on fixing the other manifold that was in the trunk.

Original - see the break? 

Trunk sourced - You can sure see it on this one.

The manifold on the right has a bigger break, but it's on the flange - an easy to work on area.
I have never welded cast iron before - this piece seems to be cooperating well.

Pleasantly surprising results

Extra good casting or just lucky?

 I'm going to weld a steel flange (from the old exhaust pipe) onto the pipe I welded in and what's left of the flange. A little ugly, but a good fix I think.

My T86 transmission was caked in crud and was obviously leaking from every seal: rear main seal and 3 shift shaft seals. The inside was not very clean either. I took it all apart and changed the seals.

The part numbers for what I changed:

• rear main seal - SKF 15620, $13 from Napa
• shift shaft seals, 2 on the main transmission and 1 on the overdrive - National 340797, $3 each from Rockauto
• there is also a tiny seal for the overdrive solenoid - National 240698, $3 from Rockauto, I haven't installed that one yet
• clutch throwout bearing - Federal Mogul BCA 1562, $20 ebay

mostly together again

Despite all the sludge inside, the transmission seems like new. I didn't see much of any wear on the teeth and the bearings looked good, too.

Almost out of Rust-oleum Hunter Green #7732, satin of course

Getting it all back together was easier than I expected. A little more green paint and it fits right in.

So much better than it was!

I just need to clean and bolt on a few overdrive parts and fill with some gear oil to finish this up. My plan was to put the whole thing back in the Frazer and go from there, but Winter is making me want to do more stuff inside right now. Rebuilding the carburetor and distributor sound like good indoor jobs.

I was recently asked "Why?" by someone I love, and the only answer I could think of was "Because it deserves it."
This is a fine, old car that was designed and built by some of the best automotive thinking of its time (read "The Last Onslaught on Detroit" by Richard Langworth if you don't believe me). It was likely originally bought by someone returning home after WW2 and eager to start his life in a peaceful and prosperous country. It was driven many miles and maintained with resourcefulness for many years. How sad they must have been when their last overhaul ended badly. They did not give up on it completely though. It was not sent to the crusher. Instead someone collected parts for it in the trunk and held onto it. I don't know where Ron Hackenberger found it (Kansas?), but he saved it and kept it from harm for many years as well. I'm the caretaker now and I intend to drive it. And I'm having fun - why not?

Speaking of fun, there is a salvage yard near me that has some amazing stuff!

1954 Plymouth 2 door, someday...

 No dogs allowed, but a pretty good day out even so.