Need some help please......

Moparlady

Moparlady

Well-known member
Hey everybody, haven't been around for quite a while, but I could use a little advice here. Leaving next Wednesday for Moparfest and planning to tow my '68 Valiant on a car dolly behind my motorhome. It is a 4 spd car and I thought all I needed to do was load it forwards and leave the tranny in neutral. However, I have just been doing a little research and I have found some indications that this is not a good thing to do because the tranny would be "splash" lubricated, which can only happen when engaged to the engine. Was trying to avoid having to remove the driveshaft, but I also don't want to take a chance on damaging anything. Not sure, but my late husband, who built the engine (225)/tranny combination, thought that the transmission was from a late 70s Volare/Aspen/Roadrunner. Have always loved my car, but it is even more special now, since Mike built the drivetrain. Anyway, any advice you guys can offer is much appreciated. A good friend of mine is coming Tuesday night to hook up the dolly and load the car for me, then I will be travelling to New Hamburg behind he and his wife with their 5th wheel rig and Roadrunner. I'm sure if we have to, he will remove the driveshaft. :hmmm:
 
Glad to see you out and about. Sorry to hear about Mike. I,M sure one of the more knowledgeable guys will voice up about how to best dolly the car soon.
 
You will not hurt the transmission. Yes, in reality there is a microscopic hint of wear that might shorten the four-speeds life from 500,000 miles to 499,999 miles, 5,230 feet. However, the fill level of the lube is relatively high. In addition, the dolly lifts the front of the car, so the fluid level will be tilted toward the rear mainshaft bearing. Remember, the oil goes all the way into the tailshaft housing so there's a good bit of it there. There will also be no load on the gears, so there's very little lubrication required for those or the bearings. Plus, I'm betting Mike at least put fresh lube in the thing when he build it... that almost goes without saying.

If you're really paranoid, suck the fluid out with a suction pump and change it before you go. If it's an aluminum maincase overdrive, the recommended oil is Dexron II (now Dexron/Mercon). If it's an older, iron-case close-ratio, the recommended lube is 75W-90. You can use the heavier oil in the overdrive transmission; the main reason they went to the ATF was to lessen shift effort. However, unless you're very well-versed in oil specifications, do not use synthetic gear oil in a Mopar 4-speed (especially Mopar brand!). Many of the offerings will cause severe gear clash since their lower coefficient of friction does not allow the synchronizers to brake properly. You'll look, or more appropriately sound like a manual-trans newbie and have to listen to jeers of "Find 'em or grind 'em!" or "Grind me a pound!" until you change the lube again. Yes, it's really that bad--nearly impossible to not grind the transmission on even a granny shift.

Personally, I'd just throw it on the dolly in neutral and not think twice about it. I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the speedo head, though--towed miles shouldn't count! :D
 
If it's a standard trans, don't worry about. If it's an auto, yes, you could damage the trans. If you do remove the driveshaft, only remove the rear u-joint and wire the shaft to something securely. Otherwise you'll lose most of your trans fluid. A simple solution that I've done several times....load the rear on the dolly and run a seat belt thru the steering wheel to "lock" it in place. That's an old wrecker trick to put less weight on the hook. :cool:
 
Hey Dusterman, thanks. I just couldn't do Moparfest last year.....too soon, too many memories. I am looking forward to it this year though. Of course it will never be the same, but I will be with loads of friends and plan to enjoy it! :giggedy:
 
Jass, thank you so much!! You have just put my mind at ease. In truth, I just Googled "towing a rear wheel drive car manual trans on a car dolly" and got some Camaro forum where they said it was a bad thing to do............geez, you'd think I'd know better!! :doh:
 
And you have just confirmed what Jass said 68, so I thank you too! I knew you guys would be life-savers! :bravo:
 
Nice to see you pop your head back in...sorry to hear about your Husband passing. Lost my Father last year as well...My condolences.

Glad your getting back out and enjoying the car. Good show, with good friends and people can only help. Best of luck!
 
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