Transmission Woes

[redvettemike]

I have been working on a '69 Ply Fury III convertible and you folks have been of much help on that work. This is a question about another Chrysler product, a 1961 Desoto 2 door hardtop. !961 was the last year for Desoto production and this car is one of about 900 2drht's produced before production ended. It is very nice. Has been in the same family since purchased new back in 1960. We completely rebuilt it, engine, rear end, transmission, body, interior, everything. The problem is this: the transmission leaks. Not all the time but once it starts it really pours out. Seems to be coming from the front of the trans maybe from the torque converter. For example, it has been on this lift for 4 weeks as we watched to see when the leak would start. For 30 days, it did not leak a drop. Then it really poured out, probably a 1/4 or 1/3 quart in just a week or so.
We plan to pull the trans and put a new seal in the front. I just wondered if any of you folks had seen something like this before? Leaks none for a period of time and then just pours out! Any thoughts/experiences welcome. The car is not operated much so there will continue to be times that it is not operated. This problem must be fixed.
Mike

 

[kmccabe56]

I have been working on a '69 Ply Fury III convertible and you folks have been of much help on that work. This is a question about another Chrysler product, a 1961 Desoto 2 door hardtop. !961 was the last year for Desoto production and this car is one of about 900 2drht's produced before production ended. It is very nice. Has been in the same family since purchased new back in 1960. We completely rebuilt it, engine, rear end, transmission, body, interior, everything. The problem is this: the transmission leaks. Not all the time but once it starts it really pours out. Seems to be coming from the front of the trans maybe from the torque converter. For example, it has been on this lift for 4 weeks as we watched to see when the leak would start. For 30 days, it did not leak a drop. Then it really poured out, probably a 1/4 or 1/3View attachment 36603 quart in just a week or so.
We plan to pull the trans and put a new seal in the front. I just wondered if any of you folks had seen something like this before? Leaks none for a period of time and then just pours out! Any thoughts/experiences welcome. The car is not operated much so there will continue to be times that it is not operated. This problem must be fixed.
Mike

Yes, I'm inclined to vote for the front pump seal. But you might also want to have a good look at the drive sleeve itself. Check for pitting, scoring and just general wear.

 

[1978 NYB]

I have been working on a '69 Ply Fury III convertible and you folks have been of much help on that work. This is a question about another Chrysler product, a 1961 Desoto 2 door hardtop. !961 was the last year for Desoto production and this car is one of about 900 2drht's produced before production ended. It is very nice. Has been in the same family since purchased new back in 1960. We completely rebuilt it, engine, rear end, transmission, body, interior, everything. The problem is this: the transmission leaks. Not all the time but once it starts it really pours out. Seems to be coming from the front of the trans maybe from the torque converter. For example, it has been on this lift for 4 weeks as we watched to see when the leak would start. For 30 days, it did not leak a drop. Then it really poured out, probably a 1/4 or 1/3View attachment 36603 quart in just a week or so.
We plan to pull the trans and put a new seal in the front. I just wondered if any of you folks had seen something like this before? Leaks none for a period of time and then just pours out! Any thoughts/experiences welcome. The car is not operated much so there will continue to be times that it is not operated. This problem must be fixed.
Mike

That is a beautiful Desoto. I saw a handful of beautiful Desoto's at Carlisle.

 

[commando1]

Please put me on the "interested buyer" list if that family ever decides to sell it.
RARE! RARE! RARE!
And beautiful, too.

 

[patrick66]

No doubt! I love the '60 and '61 DeSotos.

Far as the trans leak, confirm there is NO leakage when the car is parked for a few days. This will help eliminate the shift shaft seal as the culprit. You could have a front pump seal going, as stated before; or the base of the dipstick tube may not be fully/properly seated.

 

[redvettemike]

Please put me on the "interested buyer" list if that family ever decides to sell it.
RARE! RARE! RARE!
And beautiful, too.

The current owner's Grandfather was a Desoto/Chrysler dealer in Jackson, Ms back in 50's and 60's. This was the last car he personally bought before shutting the dealership. He passed it onto his son and then the grandson (now 65) got it. His son will surely get it next. The original grandfather used the Desoto like a pick up truck. He owned some commercial property and hauled all sorts of stuff in the car. The pinion snubber was broken off when I got it. The trunk still had a bunch of tools in it.