My '70 auto has a pretty steady leak coming from the transmission. It appears to be coming from the left side of the tranny and running around the pan (which is tight and shows no signs of leaks). Any ideas on where it could be coming from? I'm going to go have it checked out soon and would like to have an idea as to what is going on before I let someone tear into it.

Matt

|UPDATED|7/2/2004 5:16:39 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Most likely where the shifter shaft goes in. Not a big deal to change, but you have to pull the pan and the shaft. Very overlooked seal.

Thanks Ken

kstyer said: Most likely where the shifter shaft goes in. Not a big deal to change, but you have to pull the pan and the shaft. Very overlooked seal.

I thought I was going to get away with just a new pan gasket, but was told every seal was leaking, so told them to go ahead. Then when they took the pan off needed a complete rebuild...$1300 later, no leaks!

Needed a complete rebuild???
Either your timing was good, or your luck terrible.
Glad It's okay now.

what type of tranny is it. if its a turbo 350 it probably is the governor or the speedo o-ring. Shifter shaft is also common but that seal is a pain in the a%^ to change

My Vette had a very serious leak of transmission oil since I got it last September (in fact, a leak similar to the one described in the first message of this thread). After a few days in the garage, there was a streak of oil on the floor running towards the drain. I went to a transmission specialist today and he replaced the speedometer seal on the transmission. I then went to a car wash and used the water jet to clean the outside of the transmission. It's been more than 12 hours now, and not a single drop. It costed me 20 bucks (canadian!!!). I'll keep you posted if the dripping reappears.

That's another overlooked seal, but not as bad as the shifter shaft seal.

Glad it's holding. Sometimes you win!

There were some drops on the floor this morning, not as bad as before but some.... I looked under the car and I saw a drop by the shifting shaft (so I guess Ken, you're right when you say it's an overlooked seal). I also retightened the bolts that hold the transmission pan. They were very easy to turn so I was able to retighten by half a turn each of them.

Ken, are there any counter-indication when retighting those bolts ? I didn't force them but I put a good pressure. Thanks !

Roger

|UPDATED|7/23/2004 9:07:59 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

There are torque spec, but that is for a new gasket. Using the specs on an old gasket may be okay, but it could also split the gasket, depending on it's age and condition. When you are tightening the bolts, watch the gasket. If it starts to compress, stop. At that point it will reseal.
If it gets stiff without compression, stop, that's a sign it will split if you keep going.