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Leaking smoothcase transmission/gearbox

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62Migit

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Hi everyone. First, thank you in advance for your input. I'm slowly rebuilding a '62 Midget that has a very leaky smoothcase transmission.

1. Does the gasket set advertised in Moss or Victoria for the ribcase also fit the smoothcase?
2. How difficult is it to install the gasket set? Can you merely split apart the halves of the transmission (to get to the center gasket) or is this quite elaborate?
3. The largest leak seems to be at the input shaft, but I don't even see an oil seal here. Is there supposed to be one? When I tip the transmission on either end, gear oil flows out freely from around both shafts.
4. I can wiggle the input and output shafts (pardon my lack of technical terms) more than 1/8" in any direction. Am I in trouble or is this normal?

Thanks!

Mark
 
1. The gasket set fits both styles / all years
2. You really need to dismantle the transmission in a similar manner to a full rebuild to get to the center gasket
3. There input shaft (1st motion shaft) has a scroll seal that is designed (all be it poorly) to pull the oil back into the transmission like an Archimedes screw
4. That seems excessive, but I've run worse. If you are dismantling for the gaskets plan on new bearings.

By the way, welcome.

Here is a link the a ribcase transmission manual FYI.
https://www.spridget-tech.com/Section-F.pdf
 
You may be facing bearing replacement, and if so, you're facing the dreaded "Might as Wells"... Layshaft/bearings, baulk rings (what the Colonists call "synchro's") and gaskets... If you've got the unit out and available, there's a good argument for doing it " all at once."
 
If the unit is out there is an argument to convert to a ribbed case for which parts are available if you need them.
 
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