'63 Giulia Spider Normale Restoration (Euro) - Page 56

**pathung** · #**826** (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 11:08 PM

Gordon, thanks for your yet-again very helpful advice. I did understand that the boot would catch the splashes, and drain it back down into the aluminum channel and finally into the box, but we also postulated that since the tower's "lip" is no longer uniformly smooth, whatever oil that momentarily accumulated there escaped through the little dents before there was time to drain into the channel. The sealant that we applied (similarly to your diagram) didn't work, likely due to the dents being too big (or maybe my crazy-revving made for too much splashing!). I'm not a mechanical engineer, so the location of the three "new" slots aren't apparent to me - they seem to be machined right into the lip of the tower? These would certainly help the accumulated oil drain faster than typical. I'll run these by Glenn when he's back in town.

In the meanwhile, I envy the lot of you who have hydraulic lifts at home (or a pit!) - I'll need to jack the car up on all-fours tomorrow to get down there and check gear oil level; let's hope that I've got the right tool to undo that brass inset nut (why can't I see it in the photo below? I distinctly remember seeing it).

**Gordon Raymond** · #**827** (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 11:21 PM

The filler is the one you CAN see! The drain is lower. Keep in mind, the entire tower can be replaced with the engine and transmission STILL IN THE CAR! You do have to drop the driveshaft, and crossmembers, pull the headers loose from the head, loosen the engine mounts and tip the engine, but then you can get off the fork nut, and with some resolve, either pull the transmission and bellhousing, or have at the tailhousing right there. Lots of fun!

**pathung** · #**828** (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 11:33 PM

I am NOT undoing the headers! EVER. The tower stays.

That filler sure is kinda low on the body of the box... the one with the teflon tape on it?! This isn't a 101 5-speed gearbox, as I'm sure you've noticed. It's from a GT of some sort.

By the way, the first gear grinds; I can only shift into it when the car's at a standstill. We thought everything looked good when we opened it up, so we closed it back up without rebuilding. The 1st-gear synchro must be bad or something else is wrong with the gear itself, I'm guessing.

GTD · #**829** (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 07:54 AM

Patrick
Who's that grinning fool driving your car?

Regarding your trans tower leakage:
Utilizing Gordon's great pic of the tower, I've added some references to the forward end of the vehicle, etc... My guess, regarding your excessive leakage is that the tower covering steel washers are a less than perfect match. This is common after years of use and abuse. These washers should be "domed" or crowned in a very close fit to create a movable but oil resistant seal. Many have been distorted.
Gordon refers to an O-ring but it is a small one at the top of the transmission shifter "stub". I like to add a thicker O-ring or grommet on top of the domed washers, beneath the shifter assembly and clamp, in order to create a slight compressive force on the domed washers. This seems to eliminate the excessive leakage of gear lube without needing the additional drainage slots.

And yes, the fill plug for your trans is the one in your pic with the Teflon tape on it.

**Gordon Raymond** · #**830** (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 12:31 PM

The "O" ring added here is the one I was discussing. Great minds think alike! I cannot add neat arrows and writing to my photo's. Lack of computer ability. I resort to writing on a clear overlay with a dry erase pen... but then no one can read my writing! Thanks GTD!

**pathung** · #**831** (**permalink**) 08-29-2009, 10:11 PM

Well, got down under the car yesterday and stuck my finger in the filler hole of the gearbox; I was able to reach the fluid inside the gearbox with my index finger , but the level was probably at least inch below the rim of the hole - not great, but I drove the car down to Big Sur along the coast today anyway. I'm going to try filling it up some before the next drive just to be sure - problem is, I don't have a pump to get the fluid into the gearbox; any suggestions?

The drive today was again very enjoyable, but even more so because my very good friend, Marvin, came along in his '62 Giulietta Spider. He lives close by and was one of my very important mentors during my car's restoration, he having completed restoration of his own Giulietta (the one you see below) just before I started mine. He's now starting work on his '58 Sprint Veloce.

Photos below are those of Marvin's and my Spiders, parked in front of his Cessna's hangar at the Watsonville airport. I've noticed that every time I take the car out to a meal or store, a group of people would have congregated around the car when I returned to it; it was no different today at the airport's restaurant, where we had brunch. Kinda makes one's day.

Also attached is a video of the drive today - rather boring, but I like the sound the car makes; however, as I was instructed to keep the revs below 4K for the first 1,000 miles, you won't see/hear any aggressive throttle work/shifting; tourist traffic along Hwy. 1 was also a hindrance.

YouTube - Big Sur Run

**pathung** · #**832** (**permalink**) 08-29-2009, 10:14 PM

A couple more:

**Gordon Raymond** · #**833** (**permalink**) 08-29-2009, 11:58 PM

Two Jewels! Always neat to see more than one!

**NMS** · #**834** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathung

Well, got down under the car yesterday and stuck my finger in the filler hole of the gearbox; I was able to reach the fluid inside the gearbox with my index finger , but the level was probably at least inch below the rim of the hole - not great, but I drove the car down to Big Sur along the coast today anyway. I'm going to try filling it up some before the next drive just to be sure - problem is, I don't have a pump to get the fluid into the gearbox; any suggestions?

**pathung** · #**835** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMS

I used a flexible plastic hose, running from the engine bay, down beside the bell-housing, with the bottom stuck into the filler hole. Used a funnel stuck into the top side of the hose. The oil flows slowly, but it's only a few minutes and your done.
Naftali

gowanusvin · #**836** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 04:11 PM

you can by a tool, like a big metal hypodermic needle with a soft hose tip and a plunger and drive the oil in that way. A basin underneath to catch the spillover.

**Gordon Raymond** · #**837** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 04:12 PM

Google "oil (or lubricant) suppliers" Find one near you. Stuff comes in 35 Lb pails. Share it with your friends, or bottle it up in 1/2 gallon plastic bottles and SELL it a Giulia Giulietta gatherings. Bring JOY to these people, and make new friends.

Just a thought!

**user459** · #**838** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 07:57 PM

Remember to search on, or ask for "Dentax", not dentex, Pat. As Gordon says, there are suppliers out there, but it is available in larger quantities than we need for our little cars.

I use a "sucky thing" I bought from Sears about 40 years ago to fill my trannies and diffs. It is used to suck the oil up out of the container and then squirt it into the housing. It's kind of like a grease gun, but with a tube on the end of it. I don't know if they still sell them. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

GTD · #**839** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 08:19 PM

"sucky thing"... isn't that like all cars other than ALFAs???

How about: oil suction gun or pump...under $20 at too many places to list here!
Check this out for a pic:"sucky thing"

**Gordon Raymond** · #**840** (**permalink**) 08-31-2009, 08:27 PM

Thats it! My wife uses mine to "suck -up" unlucky insects and they remained in there for me to discover later. I bought her one of her own.