How many run with original style T90 open bearing?

Please report if you have rebuilt your transmission with the original open bearing and felt seal.  How much leakage do you get?  How often do you need to add gear lube?

My humble opinion...and not what you want to hear...

If a sealed bearing was available during the development of the original design, they would have used it.

I have one tranny with a standard issue bearing. It leaks. It leaks enough to be annoying.
Because of this leak, I built one with a sealed bearing. No leaks.

Tim

Bump for more opinions?

Edited by pjensen641 - 11 Mar. 2015 at 6:47pm

About three years ago I rebuilt my tranny and used the original type bearing on the input shaft with the felt seal. If it is leaking there it don't show it. I do have a few leaks else where though.

My drain plug is plugged and I am not seeing any ill effects from it. Just a little background with that though. I have had my tranny out more times than I care to, it's to a point that if I have to pull it, it's not a big deal. 1st time time was to replace the new overseas junk parts I initially put in, a few times after that was chasing leaks and a few times for my 2nd gear popping out issue. All has been resolved since and the tranny is solid.

As for chasing leaks my 1st attempt was doubling up on the felt seal. Helped vey little and still had a drip resulting in a small puddle (.50 size) after a drive. Second attempt was the purchase of the sealed SKF bearing. Upon reading, it was shown everyone that installed a sealed unit, was closing up the oil return passage under the front bearing retainer. So I followed that recommendation by tapping and plugging the hole. Also was recommended to remove the rear facing seal of the bearing, I did that to. This was were I saw a huge improvement but still had some wetness from oil, not much but a drops. So the last time around, I replaced the rear seal of the bearing that I had pulled (never throw anything away). So now the front and rear are sealed. I had contemplated on pulling the oil retun hole plug but thought I would let it be an experiment and see how it goes with it in. If needed, I could always drop the tranny again and pull it out. So far with almost a year of driving, I have no drips or problems. There is weeping at the bottom of the bellhouse but it's hard to tell if is engine oil or gear oil, but definitely no gear oil drips I repacked the bearing before putting the seal back on to make sure it's lubed but I am pretty sure with where it is at, the hot gear oil has and will continue to very slowly migrate into the bearing but not enough to show up downstream on the garage floor.

There is also the configurations of trying the sealed bearing without the plug and the front of the bearing sealed or both ends sealed, I can't account for those configurations as I am good where it's at now. One of these was going to be my next try if needed. And if it matters to mention, I'm have the oil collector and slinger in place.

I'm not saying that this is better than the original set up. This is just my 1st hand observations on my rig. It may or may not turn out the same on another tranny. If the original configuration work for you, run it.
Brett

I had originally run the stock open bearing.  It leaked drops here and there, really depends on how full it was.  When I had to take out the engine again, I put in the sealed bearing. No leaks at all now. 

wyowillys46 wrote: I run the original open bearing, but my transmission leaks because the case has a mystery crack or pores or something. Has anyone used a new sealed bearing but pulled out the inner seal? Best of both worlds.

That's the suggested way.
In my post above, you'll see I had it that way but it still leaked slightly so I replaced the seal and now it has both inner and outer. No leaks now. Given enough time though, I'm sure it will leak, everything does right? That oil is a sneaky bastard.

I did the original, no leaks.

  this thread was before my time, but put me down for sealed...