FORD CORTINA GEARBOX LEAK
Q My 1972 Ford Cortina Mk3 1600 automatic has developed a small leak from the base of the gearbox. This has slowly become slightly worse and now needs to be dealt with. The leak is puddling below the bellhousing area and, as the oil is red and so not from the engine, I believe it may be from the torque convertor. I intend to remove the gearbox to check this out, and wonder if you have any idea of what may be the issue. Do the torque convertors leak, or do you thing the leak will be from the gearbox? Any clues before I begin stripping down will at least forewarn me as to what I may expect. Lionel brown
A It would be unusual for the torque convertor itself to have failed and be leaking, although it cannot be totally ruled out. I would suspect that the leak is originating from the gearbox input seal where the torque convertor enters the gearbox.
The torque convertor should be unbolted from the drive plate before disconnecting it from the engine, and removed with the gearbox – there is access available so that the bolts can be undone in turn from the sump side, turning the engine to gain access to them one at a time.
Once the engine and gearbox have been separated, the torque convertor can be removed from the gearbox and checked. Carefully check the drive plate as these can crack, and I would also take this opportunity to drain the oil from the gearbox and torque convertor.
When refitting, it is important to fit the torque convertor into the gearbox first, rotating it as it is put into position to fully locate the two pump drive tangs into the gearbox. Once everything is back together, the oil should be topped up and the level checked in the normal manner, remembering that the torque convertor will be empty and will take around 1 litre of oil.