Overdrive Transmission - 53 Kaiser Manhattan

[pnw_oldmags]

The Overdrive Transmission in the Manhattan failed on a 800 mile trip to recent meet.  We have bench tested all the electronic components and made a new harness and it still will not engage.  The Overdrive has a bad leak and we have concluded I burned it up going up a long steep hill.  So we have went to the spare pile and selected a donor transmission for the transplant. 

We can verify green is the color as it was coated with undercoating I do believe and after chipping it off it is green.  Thanks for all the chisel work Don C.

Looking for suggestions on how to bench test the transmission without breaking it open. 

Going to rinse the inside with motor oil several times prior to installing and filling with 90 pound gear oil.  Any suggestions or wisdom that can be shared will be appreciated.

The Donor has a 1950 Date Plate on it.  Should I be concerned that it is not proper for my 53K??

[joefrazer]

Unlike the hydramatic which saw several improvements over the years, the standard transmission changed little. The units installed in a 51 and up Kaiser are direct swaps. As long as the driveshaft mount is the same, you can install it.

[pnw_oldmags]

  THANKS 

[pnw_oldmags]

Yesterday we pulled the Transmission out and you can see where the overdrive got so hot it burnt off the Grease and Oil.  The leak combined with the long uphill smoked it.  Now to clean up pieces and install the donor.  I will be glad to be headed back to a car with a functioning overdrive.

The Transmission Mount actually gave up and the transmission shifted 1/2 inch towards the drivers side.  Now Clean, Clean and then paint and reinstall the donor.

[boatingbill]

pnw_oldmags: How did you support the engine when you pulled the trans out?

[Fid]

I just thought I'd chime in here and say that it's an annual thing for me each spring to check the lube in the trans, OD and rear end of all my cars. Just takes a few minutes to do, and if they need to have some added, it's very easy to do (they all seep a little so usually end up putting some in at least one of the cars every year) and it will save your behind in the long run. Good and easy PM every year.

[pnw_oldmags]

Fid --- I have to agree ... my leak was worse than I thought.  Checking it before the trip would have saved a lot of grief now.

BoatingBill --- The car is on the top of some heavy duty jack stands.  Then we blocked under the tires. Being about 12 inches off the ground we put a plastic milk box upside down / a 2 X 4 and some cedar shingles wedged under the pan -- tap tap.  Weight off the Trany slipped right out once we lined the tail shaft of the overdrive with the tunnel in the frame the drive shaft slipped right out.

[boatingbill]

pnw-oldmags: Since I am going to pull the trans/OD unit out myself, how heavy would you
say the unit is?

[pnw_oldmags]

I can lift it from the floor to the table so between 75 - 100 lbs.  Under the car it was more than I could handle.  I had it on a floor jack and rolled the jack backwards to get it out of the clutch and throw out bearing.  Good Luck.