Re: fransmission fluid spewing ultramatic

Posted by Craig the Clipper Man On 2014/2/21 12:48:54

I managed to find a new and improved way to lose tranny fluid in a hurry. When I had just bought my '55 Clipper with a Twin Ultramatic in June 2012 and was driving back to Fairfax, VA, white smoke started bellowing from the car. My wife who was following me in our CTS freaked out and when I pulled over, I found out why.

Opening the hood I saw flames coming from the No. 8 plug. Transmission fluid had backed up the filling spout coating the spark-plug wire, and setting it ablaze. I was able to extinguish the fire very easily, but there was a small pool of fluid under the car after I moved it forward to check. The Clipper finished its run to Northern Virginia on the back of a flat-bed tow truck.

My mechanic checked out the transmission and found that an O-ring had slipped causing the fluid to back up. A simple servicing and a replacement spark plug wire and the car was back on the road again. I haven't had any more troubles with it (knock on wood).

After reading what seems like hundreds of feeds about the notorious Ultramatic, I do not take any chances. I service the transmission about every 1,000 miles and check the fluid level religiously.

I trust that transmission about as far as I can throw it!