Hi,
I have a small restoration shop in northern Wi. My latest project is a 49 Olds 76, with six cylinder, and hydramatic trans. The engine and trans are covered with about a 1/2" of gunk from the fluid leaks. I had to add 3.5 quarts of tranny fluid to get the car to move to road test it. The tranny seems to shift okay. The engine has good oil pressure,( 30-45psi). I did not notice any smoke going down the road. The compression test showed a high reading of 105 on #1, to a low reading of 65# on #5. My questions are, what would be the best way to determine where the oil leaks are coming from? Can the valves be repaired, without tearing down the complete motor? Also, are rebuilt transmissions available? Thanks for the help. Mark

 

Welcome to CO. Finding oil leaks are tough on an old dirty engine, if the majority of the gunk and dirt is dry except for a wet spot that is shiny with new oil then that would be a way to at least get headed in the right direction. With road wind and wind generated by the fan it may be very difficult to impossible. I have completely cleaned an engine exterior before and then searched for fresh oil leaks that way but it is very labor extensive. You can get engine replacement parts from some sources, Kanter or Fusick come to my mind first. Those parts will probably not be cheap though. I think the valves are accessible from the side inspection plates but I think you will have to remove the head to get them out. No idea about the transmission but doubt you can get a rebuilt one ready to go.

 

Where are you located in WI? We are in Rhinelander. We may need some work done on our 66.

 

Hi,
I am in Lac Du Flambeau. www.ridgetoprestorations.com. Thanks, Mark

 

Seems to me you may remove the head to get at the valves and do a valve job. However, with a 40 lbs. difference in compression in one cylinder, it appears you have a ring problem. No sense in going to all the trouble of removing the head and not address that problem at the same time; especially since you shall have to remove the head to address it at a later point.

On the leak, scrape the eng/trans as clean as you can. Then, pressure wash ém. Next add leak detector dye to the units, and see what it reveals.

 

These guys post all the time. They seam to be able to do any of the older trans.
Shipping may be something else. But if they have what you want, may be worth it. The trans in the add is almost identical.
Gene
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/2447955126.html

 

Is this dye available at Car Quest, or where else would I find it? Thanks, Mark

 

I would assume any major auto parts supplier would/should have it. When all else fails talk to the folks at NAPA.

Could also search for it on line with terms like "leak detector" +dye