I just bought a 1988 F-150 about a month ago, apparently when the last guy changed some parts on the clutch he never put fluid back in the transmission. There is also a a rectangular seal missing from the bottom of the tranny - possibly more - so I can't even fill it back up.

I'll describe the parts it looks like it's missing the best I can. Forward of the drain plug there is a rectangular hole maybe 2" by 3", and another smaller rectangular hole maybe 1/4" by 2" right next to that. It also looks like there is supposed to be a seal around where the clutch cable goes into the transmission.

I need to know what is supposed to be in those holes so I can put fluid in transmission. I've been driving for about 500 miles as is, and I have no idea how long the other guy drove it like that.

Any help is appreciated, and if you have any questions I'll do my best to clarify.

 

Alright, I looked at it again - and I'm demonstrating my lack of knowledge of how the transmission works in this thing here, I don't think the part where I'm missing that cover is supposed to have fluid in it, although I could be wrong. But I'm also pretty sure it's not good to have any opening like that in the bottom of the transmission, so I would still like to know what that piece is called, if anyone knows.

 

How do you know there's no fluid in it? What model of trans is it? If you don't know, read this caption:



It should be one of these:



There is no clutch cable - it's hydraulic.

 

You most likely have an M5OD trans. The "seals" you describe are not seals at all. The bigger one is just an access hole which is where the clutch fork went through before they were hydraulic. The other, where the hose is, is access to replace the slave cylinder of the clutch. To check the fluid in the trans, there is a 15/16" plug which says FILL about mid way up on the driver's side of the trans. The drain plug is the same size on the bottom rear of the trans. If there was no fluid in the trans, you would be hearing a lot of gear noise.

 

Steve83, thanks for the info, I don't have the truck with me right now, so I can't check which transmission I have, but at least now I can find out.

bigbronc, that's exactly what it is. After I posted on here I got a Chilton book and found it. I kinda thought I would hear a lot of noise, if the transmission didn't have fluid.

Thanks for the help guys.