So my question is has anyone covered the opening on their transmission. I would like to go out mudding and someday go out to the dunes. I want to keep as much junk out of my clutch as I can. My thoughts of how to cover the hole are to either fashion a strip of aluminum and silicon it over the opening. Or go one step further and drill and tap two holes in the case and bolt / silicon the strip in place.

Now I know to watch out for shavings if I were to drill and tap the transmission, but would it weaken the housing or even help keep water/mud/sand out? My thought is if I ever have to get into the trans everything is easily removed. I am aware of the breather line on top of the trans and I don't plan on crossing any deep deep water, and If I do try not to push in the clutch.

Well this is just a thought, and just trying to see what you guys have to say. Please don't get pissy if you think it's a bad idea. I love having a manual trans but after hearing all the horror stories of mud and pricey rebuilds I just want to try and cover my rear end.

Thanks for your input!

 

Unfortunately the only way to keep it sealed is to not depress the clutch when submerged. Put it in 4L so if you stall in the mud you can restart the jeep.

 

I have thought about the issue before as I read the stories of mud packed clutch plates. I do not know if the mating surface of the tranny to block and clutch linkage seal the clutch cavity up except for that opening.

Unless it was air/water tight you will still get muddy water up between the clutch surfaces if you engage it in the muck. That would still likely cause problems.

If you did manage to make it air/water tight, I have to wonder if heat buildup would cause it to breach a mating surface and vent somewhere anyway. Could you seal opening around a breather hose run up on the firewall? Don't know.

Guess it depends on what the "vent" opening is for in the first place.

 

No, there is not any gasket materials between the bell housing and the block,, you could deal with heat issues by venting the housing out from a new hole cut into the top then piped above water line. Also any plate made to seal the inspection plate would need to be easy to remove. Metal shavings and clutch dust would have to be removed manually. Also if it's not a hydro clutch, then the clutch fork will have to be sealed where that comes out. So to answer you question, yes you sure can, won't be easy and will require constant removal of inspection plate for cleaning. The easiest way to correct your issue with a road/ trail rig would be to remove the tranny, sell it.
Next buy an auto tranny and install it. Problem solved. .........beers for everyone. : ).

 

of some type or stream and theres rock in there and you hit a rock or something while in gear can you just power shift into neutral or what ? I mean you don't want to be pushing against something your not going to budge from and yet you cant use clutch ????? surely a automatic has a much better advantage in this case than a manual