Transmission Dipstick Tube Positioning

[69dodgesuperbee]

Hi Everyone. I have a questions about my 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a 383 and 727 automatic. All stock. I pulled the transmission to replace the bushing in the tail shaft (long story). It always had a drop of trans fluid hanging on the tail shaft because the bushing was a little worn. I fixed that and when I re-installed the transmission dipstick tube, I installed a new o-ring. I verified that the o-ring protruded past the steel surface of the tube, lubed it up, wiggled it a little and slid it in place and bolted it to the transmission. I warmed the car up by driving it 15 miles on a 100+ degree day and checked the fluid level in neutral. It read about 7/8 of the way toward the high side between the two marks on the dipstick. The next morning I had transmission fluid on the ground with it leaking out of the hole where the transmission dipstick tube goes in to the transmission. I pulled it back out, put a new o-ring on it (though the old one seemed fine) and slid it back into place. This time it seemed like the o-ring fit through the hold was snug and all of a sudden, right at the end of travel, the o-ring seemed like it slid out of the bottom of the hole in the transmission. The bracket where the tube bolts to the trans was in exactly the right spot to bolt on. Is it possible that the dipstick tube is inserted too far into the transmission? Did the bracket get bent slightly? I don't think I bent it, but would like your thoughts.

Thanks, Ken

 

[miller]

Is it possible that the dipstick tube is inserted too far into the transmission?

That's exactly what it sounds like. The mounting bracket on the tube should be straight, with just the one bend.
Pull the tube out, and try this...stick your finger in the trans hole where the tube goes. Feel for the depth of the hole, and get a measurement. Using that measurement, mark the bottom end of the tube itself, with a piece of tape, at the top end of that measurement. In other words, where the tube would be exposed, coming out of the hole. Of course, leave the o-ring off, while your doing that.
The o-ring should set about halfway down in the hole. Set the tube in place, to see where the tape marker is...if it's going into the hole...probably going the have to 'adjust' the bracket, to get things back into place.

 

[69dodgesuperbee]

That's exactly what it sounds like. The mounting bracket on the tube should be straight, with just the one bend.
Pull the tube out, and try this...stick your finger in the trans hole where the tube goes. Feel for the depth of the hole, and get a measurement. Using that measurement, mark the bottom end of the tube itself, with a piece of tape, at the top end of that measurement. In other words, where the tube would be exposed, coming out of the hole. Of course, leave the o-ring off, while your doing that.
The o-ring should set about halfway down in the hole. Set the tube in place, to see where the tape marker is...if it's going into the hole...probably going the have to 'adjust' the bracket, to get things back into place.

Thank you. I now have a leak free transmission.

Ken