TR2/3/3A TR3 Gearbox Dipstick Question on oil level

[sammy]

Today, I drained my TR3 non-overdrive gearbox. I refilled it with 1.8 pints of oil (approx 3.5 cups). After a short drive I checked the level with the gearbox dipstick and nothing registered. There was no leak. Do I keep it at 1.8 pints or do I fill it until it reads on the dipstick? When I drained it, it did seem like more than 1.8 pints drained out.

Thanks for the help.

 

[TR3driver]

I would fill to the mark on the dipstick. Too much is definitely better than too little!

Don't forget to have the car level, though, and wait a few minutes after a run for it all to run back to the bottom.

 

[SASSAMON]

When I changed the oil on my gearbox I found that the oil level was very hard to see on the dipstick. There were no combustion products in the oil to provide a contrasting color to the oil.
What I did was to careful place the dipstick against a paper towel and look at where the oil left a wet spot.

Roger

 

[bobhustead]

Careful not to overfill. Oil can come out the front seal into the bell housing.
Bob

 

[TFB]

Careful not to overfill. Oil can come out the front seal into the bell housing.
Bob

I had dipstick top put on my 3b syncro first trans so I matched the dipstick to the oil plug level just be sure.Fill until it runs out then check dipstick.
I had to file a new notch about 3/16 higher on the dipstick.
Tom

 

[CJD]

I just filled a dipstick tranny for the first time. I find it much more subjective than filling until it comes back out. The dipstick seems open to interpretation...

 

[TR3driver]

Seems easy enough to me. Below the bottom mark is "not enough", above the top mark is "too much". Anywhere in between is "OK". Just like an engine dipstick.

That's interesting though, about the plug location being higher. I'll have to check that someday on my TR6 housing with the dipstick top cover. But it seems to have held up just fine using the dipstick level. Almost 20 years of mostly city driving and while it is showing it's age, it's still going.

 

[CJD]

True..."seems" easy enough. With the water clear non detergent oil I am using for the OD, there is no definitve oil line when you pull the stick back out. More of a general area it "likely" is. There is no mis-interpreting the side hole...it's either running out on your floor or it needs more oil.

 

[TR3driver]

On mine, the finish on the dipstick is matte enough that the oil makes a visible difference. Just hold it so you can see the reflection of the light, then move it so the reflection moves past the two marks. There's a definite change in the reflection from the oily surface.

 

[TFB]

On mine, the finish on the dipstick is matte enough that the oil makes a visible difference. Just hold it so you can see the reflection of the light, then move it so the reflection moves past the two marks. There's a definite change in the reflection from the oily surface.

Hey Randall.I remember I didn't file the new notch but used a chisel.The oil holds in the notch when dipped and is pretty easy to read,between notches not so easy.
I suspect my dipstick sits slightly lower,maybe its an 1/8 ,because the rubber plug/gasket may be compressed a little.My metal dipstick top sits flat on the trans,not sure how a new one would fit.
Tom

 

[sp53]

I am glad someone else cannot see the oil line also. I tried different glasses better light, but that shiny oil and metal blend in real good. Last time I took a black marker pin and colored the tip of the stick and that helped some, but still hard to see. Plus with my car dropping little spots, I am always wondering what the heck-- where did that spot come from --the breather tube or the trans bell housing or the rear seal of the trans or what. Right now I thinking a slow leak in the rear trans seal. Which makes me think anyone ever replace that seal with the trans in the car?

 

[TR3driver]

My metal dipstick top sits flat on the trans,not sure how a new one would fit.
Tom

Mine does too. I see there is a "washer, felt, on dipstick" listed in the SPC, but have no idea what it should look like. The rubber (?) gasket doesn't look like it would be replaceable separately.

 

[Don Elliott]

To see the oil level on the dip-stick in my early 1958 TR3A with 4-speed + overdrive, I have the filler hole and dip-stick on the right side of the gearbox tunnel. I remove the carpet, then the rubber bung plug and then I pull up the dip-stick.

To make it easier to read the oil level, I drilled two tiny holes in the dipstick about 30 years ago. These are about 1/32" diameter and I chamfered the corners off a bit. When I pull the dip-stick out, I can see the oil held by capillary action in the lower hole. If there is oil in the top cross-drilled hole as well, then I know the oil level is up to there. It's a bit like the oil you see in the "V" notch of the dip-stick but easier to see.

 

[TR3driver]

Good idea, Don. Any comment on the felt washer?

BTW, it's good to hear from you. I hope all is well on the home front.

 

[Don Elliott]

My felt washer is still the original one (59 years old) and it's still in good shape. It is ordinary felt about 1/16" thich and it's cut with a spiral shape (if I remember correctly). It must have been glued on flat all around the fat part of the plug closure. Perhaps with the same dark brown gasket goo we use on the head gasket. I can't say for sure because it has always stayed on place.

It in soaked in oil (just a natural fact) and no oil ever comes out the filler area.


Thanks Randall for your sentiments. All is very fine with me here. And getting better now that the snow is almost gone.

 

[TR3driver]

Sorry for the delay, somehow I missed seeing your reply. So, does your felt hold the dipstick up at all? Or does the metal top on the dipstick still rest directly against the top cover.

PS Glad to hear all is well with you.

 

[sp53]

Always good stuff Don, thank you
Steve

 

[Don Elliott]

The bottom of the "flower edged" top plate of the dipstick fits right down in the hole - metal on metal.

 

[TR3driver]

Thanks, Don. I guess that mess on mine is still the original felt, then.