Follow-up on ‘46 transmission end play
 

Thanks to folks who previously responded to my issue with 0.025 inches of end play at the front and rear bearing retainers on my ‘46 Merc transmission. I have tried fitting the bearing retainers without gaskets and I have essentially no end play and movement of the bearing in the housing. The snap rings on both bearings are snug in their grooves, so a wider snap ring won’t work.

Questions:
1. Does anyone know where I can get 0.006 inch gasket paper? I’ve looked all over the internet and can’t find a source. I know that they make banjo-to-axle housing gaskets out of it, so it must be out there. The gaskets that came in the trans set I just bought from Carpenter’s are 0.035 inches for the front gasket, and 0.012 inches for the rear. Causes too much end play.
2. Would it be acceptable to run without gaskets, and just use RTV sealer or some other product?

Current plan is to mill or sand about 0.006 from each retainer and use a very thin gasket.

Additional suggestions? Thanks
Bruce

Re: Follow-up on ‘46 transmission end play
 

Question for you; you've obviously got a micrometer, how thick are the snap rings?

Re: Follow-up on ‘46 transmission end play
 

35 thou is much too thick for either retainer gasket. The gaskets in our sets are 8 thou. Ideally, you want to have little to no movement of either ball bearing. The two snap rings should be 0.075 to 0.077” thick. Don’t reuse old Ford snap rings….they started out at the correct thickness but over time they wear on their inner diameter (like a small shelf of wear on the flat surface). I’ve seen as much as 15 thou wear on them. Also, the bearing mfrs will often provide the new ball bearings with new snap rings but they always put thin rings on them…..generally about 64 thou thickness. We started having the correct rings made years ago for this reason.

Re: Follow-up on ‘46 transmission end play
 

Measured snap rings and they’re 0.064 inches as Mac states. Ordered new snap rings and gaskets from VanPelt. Thanks Mac and Brian! I’m sure that’ll solve my problem.

And Mac, I’m using your book to assist with my work. Very much appreciate VanPelt insights and service!!!