Clark C500 Y50:
Older clark w poss Oil leak

New here , but just bought a older antique Clark C500 Y50 , Although unsure of exact year.
Unit supposedly sat for 4-5 years , told it was a loss of brakes as reason.
Got unit home and starter doesn't want to stay engaged longer than a few seconds to try and start.
Pulled starter to replace and seeing very wet nose cone with engine oil ?
And appears damp inside the bell housing as well as flywheel...
My first guess is a rear main seal is bad ?
But want to clarify that this does not have some sort of oil bath or shared path.
Appears to be silicone gasket sealer on starter flange and on seam of eng bell housing and trans....
Looking for a manual on this unit as well.
Serial stamp Y355-413-2630 471
Thanks for the input
  • Posted 21 Mar 2025 12:45
  • Discussion started by Scott_Dacri
  • California, United States
Showing items 1 - 5 of 5 results.
Mid 70's
  • Posted 25 Mar 2025 03:53
  • Reply by John_Bradley
  • Texas, United States
Jb69
Thanks for the info John.
A link to the manuals would be great !
Do you know from my serial numbers the year of this unit ?
Thinking late 60's ?
Serial stamp Y355-413-2630 471
When you get a chance , Send those to daxx4x4 At Yahoo dot com
Thanks again !
  • Posted 24 Mar 2025 11:28
  • Reply by Scott_Dacri
  • California, United States
It is a wet bell housing, trans fluid should be in it be sure to get sealed starter with a gasket do not use silicone as it will get into trans and stop up ports etc I always used copper coat for all gaskets even on head gaskets on older units never had issue in 45 years I'm a retired tech
35 years with Clark and 5 with Hyster and 5 Komatsu I have all Clark service manuals on flash drive if you can get me your email I can send it
  • Posted 24 Mar 2025 03:17
  • Modified 24 Mar 2025 03:18 by poster
  • Reply by John_Bradley
  • Texas, United States
Jb69
Ok , So it is normal for some oil in there then.
I was Bummed thinking it has a massive rear main leak.
I have a new starter showing up monday.
Thank you for the reply
  • Posted 24 Mar 2025 02:03
  • Modified 24 Mar 2025 02:05 by poster
  • Reply by Scott_Dacri
  • California, United States
Some Clark's used a wet bell housing with a wet starter it has a special seal near the drive so no oil can get inside the starter body the gasket is so the oil can't out of the housing usual it was transmission oil in the bell. sounds like you might have a bad starter solenoid or possible key switch. good luck.
  • Posted 24 Mar 2025 00:54
  • Reply by Scott_
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Scott

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