I have a Ford 655a , don't know the year. There's a 4" x 6" plate under the transmission with a hole in the center. When I add water to the cooling a lot leaks out that hole. Its not oil or hydraulic fluid. Ant thoughts why it would leak from there? freeze plug? head gasket? thanks.
freeze/core plug on the back of the engine??
I have no idea?
Maybe pull some covers off, get out a flashlight and a mirror, and see where the water is running from. No one here is going to have a crystal ball to tell them where the water is leaking from, you're the man on site. If you can spot where its coming from, likely someone here can help you fix it. If you can't be bothered to get out a flashlight and start looking around, you probably are going to need to start looking around for a mechanic.
Maybe take the cover off and stick an inspection scope in? Core plugs are normally on the back of the block, but nothing says a head gasket cant go out on the back of the head. https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Industrial-Inspection-Waterproof-Semi-Rigid/dp/B0928Q3T42?crid=3CZPF86HN8QG5&keywords=endoscope%2Bdepstech&qid=1652763883&sprefix=endoscope%2Bdep%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-4&linkCode=sl1&tag=chickanic-20&linkId=b169ad48bc169f9b20d467b8762479d9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1
yea that is my plan. My friends coming over with a camera to look up in there. This tractor was left on my property. with no tires(which I was able to get , all four for 250.00) and the steering was off and in the front bucket, its been a cool project. Crystal ball hocus and pocus. funny.
Go to messicks.com and check out the online NewHolland (Ford) parts diagrams. You will see there's a freeze plug in the block that is covered by (or inside) the bell housing. That 4x6 plate is your access hole in the bottom of the bell housing. There's also a freeze plug in the back of the head above the bell housing, but I don't think your leak is coming from there. Sounds the freeze plug in the block is leaking, coolant is running down the back of the block behind the flywheel, and out the bottom of the bellhousing. Will require a split to repair.
Even if it's leaking, you can run it long enough to move a little ways at a time, or check the transmission and hydraulics work. Just remove the belt so the water pump isn't burning out the seals with no liquid. And run it thirty seconds at a time with light load, wait till it cools before running again.