Transmission Cover
Replacement/Repair
by Mort Binstock
I recently pulled my transmission and replaced the clutch.
While doing so, I discovered that the fiberboard transmission and
drive shaft covers had deteriorated. My initial repair assessment
was to replace both covers using plastic replacements from The Roadster Factor (TRF). TRF, at that time, only had the
transmission cover in stock.
Determined to complete the project in a timely fashion and
not wait for the out of stock cover, I purchased the transmission
cover and decided to repair my existing drive shaft cover. I purchased
from TRF their plastic cover and its optional rubber gasket kit.
I did not purchase their optional hardware kit as my hard-ware
was in good condition.
It took me several hours to prepare the cover for installation.
First, I trimmed the rubber gaskets to fit then glued them to the cover base using Permatex High Tack gasket sealant. My
cover had three access openings, two covered with a screwed on metal plate, one ringed with a rubber grommet. The TRF
cover did not have these openings. I measured then traced
these openings from the old cover to the new cover.
Openings were quickly cut out using a Dremel and heavy
duty cut off wheels. For those not familiar with a Dremel, it is a
useful high speed rotary tool similar in function to a Dentist’s
drill. I also used the Dremel this time with an 1/8" drill bit to drill
the screw holes. These tasks were a success!
I believe that the TRF cover is dimensionally identical to the
original. However, and probably due to the new gaskets, the cover’s mounting holes did not quite match the TR’s. The two
holes were very slightly off, enough that the bolts would not thread into the car. I again used the Dremel this time with a
metal burr cutter to slightly enlarge the cover’s holes. Now the
bolts engaged the threads!
I decided to repair the existing drive shaft cover using fiber-glass
cloth. I purchased from my auto parts store fiberglass cloth and resin. I cut the cloth to fit over the existing cover. I laid
it in place and painted it with the resin. The resin soaked
through the cloth to also saturate the fiberboard cover. USE
ADEQUATE VENTILATION as the resin is smelly and not good to breathe. The resin and fiberglass cloth hardened
resulting in a sturdy cover.
I hope that this chronicle article sharing what I learned will
make our cover replacement or repair easier. It took me some additional time slowing my repairs to develop these installation
and repair solutions. Instructions don’t come with the parts! I hope
you are enjoying the summer and our TR!