Recent content by rustystud

I was asked a question today about where I get my "new" clutch plates from. The answer is from private collections. "Fatsco" still has some "fiber" plates around but they want almost $10.00 a plate. They cannot get new fiber or steel plates either. So when their stock is gone, it's gone. I have...

Well I did it again !!!! I had the machine shop make-up some throttle valve shafts so I could replace all those bent ones, but I didn't ask for a quote. Again ! I didn't think having 20 small shafts made would cost so much. WRONG !!! Here's what $1002.00 will get you. The wife wasn't too happy...

I have good days and bad days. That post was a bad day. Though it has been getting harder trying to keep a positive attitude about these old 303M HydraMatics. Now with the "border" issues with Canada I don't even know if I will be able to see "plowboy" in Edmonton this June. Really pissing me...

I was a commercial welder for 10 years. During that time I welded "steel", "aluminum" , "stainless steel" , and cast-iron" . The cast-iron was the worst. One of the major problems is that cast-iron is very porous. That is especially important when welding cast-iron that has absorbed oils like...

Here's some information for people needing to check their pressures in the 303M. Hope this helps "Blake" .

This is just a "general" wake-up call to everyone in the military vehicle community. Our parts are old and getting older. Cast Iron in particular becomes more brittle with age. Today after spending hours cleaning a bellhousing, I found a major crack in the flange. I couldn't see it until all the...

On a sadder note, I know most of you know that "Tom Woldt" passed away a few months ago. He and I were working on finding parts for the 303M HydraMatic transmission. In fact he was going through his inventory for me when he died. I didn't realize he had passed for awhile since he told me to give...

Since tearing down all these 303M HydraMatics I've come across several things of interest. The number one being what is the difference between a 302M and a 303M unit. We know that the military had durability problems with the 302M . The question has always been "why" ? Over time I have found...

Another thing I need to mention is when installing the rear band you need to "screw" down (tighten) the "band strut" all the way and then back off half a turn. When you go to adjust the rear band the "strut" must be in this position for proper operation of the "automatic" adjuster. These are...

I'm in the process of rebuilding another 303M HydraMatic transmission. When I installed the rear pump discharge pipe, I noticed a small hole had been drilled in it. I've seen this before. I "assume" some rebuilders did this to prevent high reduction pressures. That is the worst thing you can do...

Today I'm giving out a little "tech" tip. I mentioned earlier how I'm reusing the four lip seals used in the reduction unit as they are no longer available from anyone. I also mentioned that I soak them in a solution. I forgot to mention what that solution is. So here it is. You might need to...

I have some bad news for our Canadian M135 owners. It appears that the HydraMatic 303M transmissions output shaft (actually the midshaft the one missing the bushing) was not fully machined out. I bought five 303M transmissions at "100 Mile House" in Canada last summer. Everyone had an unfinished...

Thank you Sir ! And yes that is the correct pinion seal I was referring to. Also, I look forward to seeing you in person this June. Already have a co-pilot roped in to help.

Thought I would share this great find. A brand new, still in the "cosmoline" oil cooler. This was the first time I opened it. Just needs cleaning and it's good to go. It's really fun to find surprises like this still out there. Now if I only could score some NOS large wave springs and maybe...

Totally agree. :(