Are A833 tailhousing bolt holes in main case drilled straight through or are they blind holes?

[AR67GTX]

My A833 is leaking some lube from somewhere around the gasket joint between the main case and tailhousing. I went through this with a Ford Toploader a few years ago and the problem was the bottom tail housing bolt hole was drilled straight through the case wall and wouldn’t seal up with just a bolt. I realized this after I replaced the tail housing pgasket (easy with a Toploader) and still had a leak. Ended up replacing the bolt with a stud and thread sealer and an oil pan sealing washer and nut.

Unfortunately removing the tailhousing on an A833 is considerably more involved than on a toploader. But if the bolt holes daylight into the case it may be worth trying to seal them up and see if that’s the source before tackling a gasket replacement. Does anyone know if this is the case (bolt holes in case are through-drilled?

 

[kiwigtx]

It doesn't take much extra sealant or a small bit of dirt to unseat the gasket a fraction....enough to allow a weep of oil to pass through.
The gearbox is under a lot of pressure when running, so oil will find a way out if you let it.

BTW....those mount holes are blind, otherwise it would make changing the oil a whole bunch easier.

 

[padam]

It doesn't take much extra sealant or a small bit of dirt to unseat the gasket a fraction....enough to allow a weep of oil to pass through.
The gearbox is under a lot of pressure when running, so oil will find a way out if you let it.

BTW....those mount holes are blind, otherwise it would make changing the oil a whole bunch easier.

You’re correct about the hole’s being blind.

However, since the tailshaft has a vent on top, I don’t think there should be much pressure. But I think gear oil is tougher to seal than engine oil.

On my last rebuild I got gaskets from Brewers and followed their instructions to install them dry. The front bearing retainer and screws I used a green (Permatex or loctite can’t remember) specifically for gear oil. All new seals and it is dry as a bone.

Like all other leaks it will be worth your time to track down the exact source.

 

[kiwigtx]

You’re correct about the hole’s being blind.

However, since the tailshaft has a vent on top, I don’t think there should be much pressure. But I think gear oil is tougher to seal than engine oil.

On my last rebuild I got gaskets from Brewers and followed their instructions to install them dry. The front bearing retainer and screws I used a green (Permatex or loctite can’t remember) specifically for gear oil. All new seals and it is dry as a bone.

Like all other leaks it will be worth your time to track down the exact source.

I only ever had a small weep on the side plate....the surfaces have to be spotlessly clean and gaskets all laying flat.

Taking care at assembly time makes the chances of leaks a lot less.

 

[Beekeeper]

I would clean it up and make sure it’s not coming from the vent. If the trans has been rebuilt the baffle for the vent could have been left out. just a possibility.

 

[AR67GTX]

OK - thanks. Hoping there might be an easier way but looks like I’ll get a chance to add an A833 to my resume of Muncie, Toploader and A727 transmission rebuilds. I’ll study it a little more first. Seems to even be seeping while it sits for a few weeks so I don’t think it’s the fent. And from examining the area with an ultraviolet light that makes the oil glow green, it’s looking like the gasket but I figured the bolts might be another possibility.

 

[padam]

FYI