'66 Transaxle

The New Engine

I am working on getting the '66 back on the road. It has been a year since it was underwater from Hurricane Katrina. It is time to clean up the mess and get back on the road. The water did alot of damage to my '66. The new engine is done. But the transaxle, brakes, electrical system have been damaged by the salt water, and everything needs to be inspected, cleaned or replaced. Yeah, replaced is more like it.

Salt water did a number on my '66. Lots of new rust underneath. Including my floor jack.

LOL Look at that... I was so pissed off I installed the end cap upside down! I had to unbolt it and change it before i could put the brake parts back on. New brake parts are going to have to be installed. along with new seals axle tube boots and side cover plate seals.

The transaxle has seen better days. I was not happy with what I found in the transaxle. When I drained it there was water in the case and in the axle tubes. So checked to make sure I got all the old gear oil out of it. The problem is that there is a lot of sludge in the bottom of the case, just like in the engine. The inside of the engine case was eaten away from the salt water. I am afraid the same thing has happened to the transaxle. Yes BTW that is a anodized aluminum pot, Yes Calphalon! Yes my expensive cookware is being used to hold gear lube... The salt water ruined that too, so why not put it to good use? Also look at that bad wiring, the whole car needs re-wiring as all the connectors are corroded and the wires are corroded also. Also need a new starter... hmmmm hey wait a minute I got that one with a limited lifetime warranty...

THIS SUCKS!

There is a hole in my transaxle!

There is about a 3/8" hole that has been eaten away from the inside of the trans case. And the snot running out is a mixture of gear lube, saltwater and exfoliated magnesium. The hole is right below the ring gear. I noticed this small puddle of snotty stuff under my car the other day where normally there just a small spot of gear lube. So the transaxle is trashed. I will need a new one.

Nov. 2006 - New transaxle is being built. Well not BRAND new. The replacement transaxle is being built using a used case. The one I have is not a usable case as it has a freakin' hole in it! But the replacement one will be good to go soon. There will be all new seals in it and I have new side covers and axle boots all ready to go on. As usual I will have to post pictures as I replace it.

7 March 2007

Got the old transaxle out of the car today and what a mess! I removed one of the side covers after I got the axle tubes off. Again what a mess. The salt water that was inside the transaxle did a number to the case, as I expected.

Rust, Rust and more rust ... it's on everything!!!

The inside of the case was about 1/3 filled with snotty, grey, crunchy goop. And that's about the best I can explain it... Or just look to see what the inside of a transaxle should not look like. Surpisingly enough as nasty as it looks everything still turns freely

April 21 2007

New Trans and Engine are almost ready to go!!! Axles cleaned and checked and axle tubes have been cleaned and protected with POR-15 as they had were pretty nasty after all that salt water. But they are OK, not so much with my floor jack. It still works, but it looks horrible.

I have started to work on the car again as I need to get it on the road! I have started to coat the underside with POR-15 and I have gotten most of the wheel well and started on the frame horns so I can install the new wiring harness and get the trans and engine in. It's a start.

Just started on the engine bay. Still need to install that wiring harness.