MTFCA Forum

A knowledgeable friend told me that the transmission inspection cover on my car was upside down. It was painted on one side, so I figured that was the outside. Is this a prank played on newbies? Should the 'v' shaped 'valley' on the cover point down towards the drums bands (Like it wants to drip oil back down the center line) or away sticking up away from the innards (like it was meant to add clearance)? I'd hate to be a laughing stock. Or does it not make any difference? Thanks.

From the Ford Service Bulletin.

Dang. Mine's upside down too.

Mine is a flat plate. Should I worry ?

Here’s the one in my 24 Coupe. I’ve had this car since 1959 and that’s the way it was when I got it. The T encyclopedia says the transmission door covers were “embossed” starting in 1917 and became the typical style used from then on. Maybe the embossed door was supposed to help in oil distribution? The T shop manual shows it to be installed with the V pointing down. Maybe the engineers decided to use the V and get away from the flat covers.
Anyway I guess I passed the cover inspection test according to the manual!

One of the stop light kits require the plate to be turned upside down.

This is one of those silly "I am right you are wrong" things". Yes, Ford does show a "right" way in the books. But for some reason unknown millions of engines over the years have had the covers flipped the other way. More untouched for decades engines I have seen have had the "V" up rather than down. While the "V" down would help drop oil onto vital areas of the transmission, I doubt it would make that much difference inside that splash filled oil bath. And, if you consider it closely, flipped the other way would put a recess down around the inside of the hogshead opening. That would actually do a better job of reducing oil leaks by deflecting splash around the gasket instead of toward the gasket.
So, except for the fitting of your brake light switch? I don't think it really matters at all, and I have gone both ways myself.

It seems like I read once the V was supposed to face down to deflect oil to the bands. This one has the V down and it also has strips embossed between bolt holes to help the gasket seal which go down into the gasket. Mine has only a flat plate.

Rich Bingham wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:58 pm

Mine is a flat plate. Should I worry ?

I dunno Dave ! Now I'm worried about that dog. Did the yoghurt kill him ?

Good one ! (I really don't worry much - seems a waste of time. When things go wrong, it seems like it's pretty rare that they are the things you've been stewing over ! )

Not only does the V assist in oiling the bands and gears, but it directs the oil away from the edges where it is most likely to leak. Install with the V down.
Norm

Thanks all. That makes sense. J.R.

Whenever I am unable to recall which side of a panel or cover goes In or out (which sometime occurs if notes and pictures are not taken prior to embarking on a years long restoration), I refer to the side which bears the circular scars of tightened screws and nuts which cut into the steel of the panel leaving a circle around the hole, making it obvious the scarred side goes out. Jim Patrick

If you've installed a oil filter under the cover, what difference would it make how the cover is installed?

Tim

As others have posted, the triangle form (Famous Ford 3-point ) inside the cover ....defects the oil to the bands or the screen plate.

Note the oil film flow, top of the triangle and down.....

And for those with a magnet in the screen, that formed cover may help retain it. You can see in this view the triangle form directs oil to the screen.