MTFCA Forum

I was thinking of putting a rare earth magnet on the transmission cover to grab metal fillings etc. I’m thinking the metal would adhere to the plate/cover and could be easily wiped and cleaned. Anyone tried something like that?
We’ve been working up a TT and recently found the two bolts holding the starter bendix spring had come undone, were loose and rattling around in the cover! I noticed that the tabs were ground down, worn off? And missing. That metal went somewhere and I’m sure there is other fillings from years of wear. Have changed the oil but thought a strong magnet might help with the internal cleanup? The magneto is not working yet in this vehicle and I don’t know if another magnet close by would affect its working when it does work. Ideas?

Many use the vendor supplied oil screen accessory that is sandwiched under the inspection cover. Collects stuff you can clean out each oil change. These screens typically come with a magnet too. Recent info gives some precautions to wire or secure that magnet so it can't get into the trans.

Or there is vendor supplied magnet oil plug for the crankcase too. Likely good idea for magnet esp. on a new engine with metal wear from rings setting and stuff. The oil screen is a nice thing to add.


Oil screen accessory and magnet.

The screen is also good for catching band lint and other large objects! They are not a new thing. Even back in the day the Surefeed oiler had a screen and there were others that fit under the cover.

Thats why I never throw away blown speakers >> save the magnet << another good magnet is (I can't spell
these) neo????? something rare earth? ebay cheap by the dozen. Although these are small they are wicked
strong. Just stick some on your 3 or 4 dip pan on the outside. Every couple of years I drop this so called
inspection pan, amazing clean as a whistle........................................

DanTreace wrote: ↑

Mon May 13, 2019 10:24 am

Recent info gives some precautions to wire or secure that magnet so it can't get into the trans.

Come to think of it, why do we even put the magnet IN the trans? It should work just as well stuck to the outside of the trans cover and would be much easier to clean the metallic fuzz off that way.

That might work with a flat cover but with the newer style there is no real flat spot to mount. Also might not be room between the plate and floor boards.

Tim's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Some people have had problems with the magnet sitting on the screen. You can go on ebay or amazon to purchase strong magnets that are small enough that they should fit on the newer cover that is not flat. I will have to try this next time I send an order to Amazon. The magnetism should go right through the cover. Thank you Bob for the suggestion.

The first picture is a set of magnets I purchased at Home Depot. $3.98
The second picture shows how that are placed on the transmission cover.
In a few months I will take them off to see if they work as well as the magnet
already stuck to the filter. If these work, I will remove the magnet inside so I
do not have to worry about it getting pulled into the transmission. These three
magnets were very strong, and I had to pry them apart.

thanks again to bob for the suggestion.

If you take a magnet and put it on the top of a removed transmission inspection plate and then put a small nail on the other side I think you will find that the magnets field is dissipated through the cover and will not attract the nail. I have not had any luck using a magnet on the outside.