Kim's post

[John Hofstetter <hofs@domain.elided>]

>Date: Wed, 07 Jan 1998 19:08:33 -0700
>From: Kim Sol <kimsol@domain.elided>
>Subject: Re: Sudden loss of AT Fluid
>
>Rob was way low on AT Fluid in IH Digest V5, #110, for no real obvious
>explanation other than normal leaks, but it seemed to occur suddenly. An
>observation:  IH made two modifications to the Torqueflites: IH used one
>of its own output shafts, requiring a special output shaft bearing,
>which is no longer commercially available except by special manufacture,
>by the same guys that make Navy hammers (ie $500 or so JUST FOR THE
>BEARING).This is the biggest and most expensive headache of overhauling
>an "IH" Torqueflite.  Fortunately, the original bearings are extremely
>tough, and need replacing after only exceptional abuse, or several
>overhauls.   The other modification was to connect the transmission to
>the engine vaccum to modify the second gear shifting.  So, on the left
>side of the tranny there is a vacuum control unit input that has a
>gasket or O-ring.  That gasket is pressurized only as the transmission
>passes through second gear. Otherwise, the gasket is not in contact with
>pressurized transmission fluid.  So, if the Scout is in slow traffic,
>and doing a lot of second gear running, a failed gasket or switch will
>gush fluid, but as soon as the Scout gets to highway speeds, its just
>fine; similarly, while it is sitting in the driveway, or idling, there
>will be no telltale fluids, either. So, you don't ever see much fluid
>laying around, except a telltale wind smear down the inside of the left
>frame rail, you just run out of AT fluid. If your second gear sees
>little use each day, the effect is fairly negligble except after a few
>weeks or even months; if you are caught in a lot of 25 mph zones, or
>4wheeling, you might be in trouble fast. The local Torqueflite
>specialist here says that he's never seen any other Torqueflites with
>this second gear feature except Scouts, and he's not sure what the point
>was. The replacement switch is apparently out of production, however
>(since it was not a Chrysler part), and so he just puts in a metal plug
>to replace the switch and gasket, and it does not seem to appreciably or
>even noticeably affect the operation of second gear, but definitely
>eliminates the mysterious disappearance of AT fluid.  Kim Sol, '80 Scout
>II, '76 Scout II, '72 Scout II (all automatics).

Kim,
That was a very informative post. Why don't you offer to allow someone to
put it on the FAQ. I assume that if you'd just post your permission, Bill
or someone would see that it gets on.
Thanks,
John

John Hofstetter  "Ol'Saline's Web Site" www.goldrush.com/~hofs
Life Member, National Rifle Association     California Rifle and Pistol Asc.
Member, Sierra Macintosh Users Group  Member, MacTwain Macintosh Users Group
Charter Member, FRIENDS OF DEATH VALLEY   Member, Blue Ribbon Coalition
Life Member, Association of California School Administrators
Owner of 79 Scout Terra "It's a legend"