960 trans/pto input shafts

I picked up a 960 project a few years ago. Serial # 92403 - (1956). Got it together and running decently. Used it to mow and had issues with transmission fluid escaping into the clutch/bell housing. I split it today to replace the two seals associated with the transmission/pto input shafts.

I have found an issue beyond a leaky seal and that is the PTO input shaft is not supported by a bushing or bearing at the end where the seal resides.

Delving into the parts book, there was a change associated with the shafts during the XX1 run.

I am wondering if a previous owner mixed parts.

Is anyone here familiar with the differences?

Here's some pictures.





The longest piece is the transmission input shaft. It is retained by the pilot bearing on the small end and the transmission main shaft on the other. The PTO shaft is in the middle. It has a set of needle bearings under the splined (clutch) end to keep it centered on the trans input shaft. The seal area is the machined surface 4/5 the way to the gear end.


The gear end is quite loose on the transmission input shaft, like a quarter inch of play. It looks like there ought to be a bushing or bearing inside the PTO shaft to ride on the machined (now rather rough) surface of the trans shaft.


The only thing holding the PTO shaft more or less centered is the hard washer at the back of the seal.


The washer, the failed seal, and the buggered surface where forces are being applied where they should not.


#10 is identified as "bushing, PTO shaft, Rear 9" double" - it does not exist in my situation. Google is unhelpful in recognizing the bushing, I cannot find it. Part # NDA-787-C


Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks -
David

That looks like the first design parts you have. I don't know about those. Did you check your shaft wobble before you removed them. I have found some of the newer style ones are sloppy and actually had shims made by a machine shop for the PTO shaft with different thicknesses than the factory type to take up the slop. I did shim them until I could only find a little movement. I don't know if that would help with your problem or not as your PTO shaft has that lip made into it. I do know that CNH started selling a different mainshaft needle bearing that the rollers would actually fall out of the cage. Same part number but different bearing. I bought some of the old style NOS bearings so I can show my dealer what I was taliking about the last time I took one back. I can post pix if you want me to.

I know there's a bushing for the mainshaft that is installed in the PTO shaft at the tranny end and a needle bearing at the engine side. It say's to ream it to .003-.005 clearance.

"It say's to ream it to .003-.005 clearance"

I was wondering what the clearance should be. Where did that figure come from?

The mechanism is the early design. The NDA-787-C bushing is missing, it is also not available. A previous owner must have changed the PTO input shaft out and left out the bushing.

Measuring the situation it appears a 1-7/16" OD bushing would press into the shaft. The corresponding surface on the transmission input shaft measures 1.3", and is rough. An 'off the shelf' bushing with a 1-1/4" ID would ream to fit pretty readily. The length needs to be 1-3/8", which I have not found, standard is 1-1/2", so it'll need to be cut down.

Wish I had access to a machine shop, I could have this fixed for $10 in parts. I lost my local guy a few years ago, there's a place I can go, but it'll be expensive and the guy will have a hard time accepting that everything will not need to be 'perfect' for this to work for another 50 years. Thinking specifically about the surface on the transmission input shaft that is rough. I would chuck it up in a lathe and use a stone to smooth the bearing surface then ream the bushing to fit.

I used this tractor with a mower for 3 years before the lubricant loss got too much. I'm surprised that things are in as good of shape as they are. I think everything is savable.

Nothing happening, except thinking, until Monday....

Thanks
David

Specs are from OEM Ford manual. It also says to pack wheel bearing grease behind the needle bearing toward the engine. I may have the shaft and bushing, I'll run through the jungle. Email me and I can send a pic of the manual page.

private messaging is disabled and you don't show an available email address. My email is displayed in modern view, at least. Send me one and I'll get right back to you.

David