Front Oil Seal - BN1 box - worth it?

[healeynut]

Hi All -

I posted this over at the Healey List too. I'd like to get your thoughts.

Actually this is for my A90 Atlantic, which is the same thing.

Basically I was wondering if it's worth it to add a modern lip seal to the front shaft of the gearbox. It's hilly here and the box leaks out a fair amount.

I was wondering if it works... was not sure because was thinking if the box heats up then pressure builds up and pushes oil out of other areas?

not sure, would love to hear thoughts on this.

Alan

 

[Keoke]

I was wondering if it's worth it to add a modern lip seal to the front shaft of the gearbox
.
--Alan
Of course it is. :laugh:

Some years ago there was an article in one of the LBC Magazines describing how to modify that front housing to take a modern seal. Modified housings may be available on an exchange basis from some of our sources here in the US--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[healeynut]

Keoke -

Sorry I haven't been around lately, nice to see you. My work computer doesn't work with this list, and well with the two little ones running around now that they can talk, slap and tackle me, it's a bit hard to post from home too.

I can get the little front plate on the gearbox turned here in HK on a lathe for almost nothing, so just thinking about this. Someone on the list suggested putting a breather on the top of the gearbox as well...

hmmmm

Alan

 

[Randy Forbes]

I would think that there is already a breather on the trans, usually on the overdrive housing (does the A90 have an overdrive?). Otherwise, I doubt the dipstick seal__a felt drum from BN2 onwards__is airtight.

I put the original xmsn back in my BN6 last winter, and it doesn't have a seal fitted to the input shaft, so it dribbles some oil when I park the car. I recently bought a bellhousing from Quantum Mechanics (off Ebay) that was modified and had a new seal fitted; I'm pretty sure I only paid fifty bucks ($50.00USD) for it...

... another project for this winter, if I get enough of a break in the action that allows me to work on my own car.

 

[healeynut]

Randy -

The A90 doesn't have an OD and there's no dipstick, just a bolt and a hole, so the thing is air tight if it has a front seal.

I suppose I could drill a small pin hole in the head of the filler plug bolt.

Alan