So my father just called, apparently his 76 convert has started to leak ATF..... again.
History: bought the bike with blown engine, rebuilt with the help of local european bike mechanic, rode and began leaking ATF. Park, resurrect, dismantle, replace a few seals, ride and starts to leak again. Park, ressurect, repeat.
The last two times we've had it apart we went whole hog, completely dismantling and shimming the transmission as well. Every seal and o-ring has been replaced, by myself assisting a very competent mechanic first and again by a different competent mechanic. Bike runs great, but leaks ATF out of a drain hole someone drilled into the bottom of the bellhousing. Converts have a dry clutch; it shouldn't leak there!!!
I think it is leaking at the seal where the clutch shaft fits into the torque converter. It has been replaced twice, and we are pretty darn sure we did it right both times.
The only thing I can think of is that, during the original rebuilding process, we had the flywheel machined thinner on a lathe by the mechanic that was helping us rebuild it. I was not there when they fit the torque converter to the flywheel but he swears he checked it with a dial indicator and it checked out within spec. Could it be slightly out of balance and could that cause a vibration that would make that seal leak?
Dad is about ready to set the thing on fire; does anybody have any insights as to how we can potty train this convert? It runs AWESOME besides the leak (and the oiled up, slipping clutch it causes!).
History: bought the bike with blown engine, rebuilt with the help of local european bike mechanic, rode and began leaking ATF. Park, resurrect, dismantle, replace a few seals, ride and starts to leak again. Park, ressurect, repeat.
The last two times we've had it apart we went whole hog, completely dismantling and shimming the transmission as well. Every seal and o-ring has been replaced, by myself assisting a very competent mechanic first and again by a different competent mechanic. Bike runs great, but leaks ATF out of a drain hole someone drilled into the bottom of the bellhousing. Converts have a dry clutch; it shouldn't leak there!!!
I think it is leaking at the seal where the clutch shaft fits into the torque converter. It has been replaced twice, and we are pretty darn sure we did it right both times.
The only thing I can think of is that, during the original rebuilding process, we had the flywheel machined thinner on a lathe by the mechanic that was helping us rebuild it. I was not there when they fit the torque converter to the flywheel but he swears he checked it with a dial indicator and it checked out within spec. Could it be slightly out of balance and could that cause a vibration that would make that seal leak?
Dad is about ready to set the thing on fire; does anybody have any insights as to how we can potty train this convert? It runs AWESOME besides the leak (and the oiled up, slipping clutch it causes!).
