Front seal leaking th-350
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Front seal leaking th-350
I recently redid the front seal on my trans. It appears that it is leaking again. If I stick my hand up in the trans by the converter I can feel it all over in there. Do they take a while to seal up or should it have sealed up right away. If I have to pull that pos trans again I don't think I will be putting it back in. Yes when I had the trans out I checked the converter and it is fine. There is no fluid on it just all over the trans.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
Well, if I have to take it out I'm going to **** and moan about it. I'm not sure what I would do. I don't want to put another trans in it but I guess I may have to. It wasn't leaking until I put in a new converter. So I wouldn't tihnk that it would be the bushing. But who knows.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
When you get the tranny out, pull the front pump, and replace the front bushing and seal. WHile it's out and apart, check the drainback hole for obstructions with a wire coat hanger or 1/8 welding rod.
Sort of sounds like the garter spring popped off the new seal when you put it in, or the drainback hole is restricted.
Sort of sounds like the garter spring popped off the new seal when you put it in, or the drainback hole is restricted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
When you get the tranny out, pull the front pump, and replace the front bushing and seal. WHile it's out and apart, check the drainback hole for obstructions with a wire coat hanger or 1/8 welding rod.
Sort of sounds like the garter spring popped off the new seal when you put it in, or the drainback hole is restricted.
Sort of sounds like the garter spring popped off the new seal when you put it in, or the drainback hole is restricted.
They don't "heal."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
it's not my idea of fun either.When you get it out, replace the pump bushing, then before you install the seal slip it over the snout on the convertor and rock it side to side, that will take any burrs off the new bushing and confirm it will fit easily. Then pack the back of the new seal with vaseline, put a thin bead of locktite around the OD of the seal, and put it in. Assemble the pump, make sure the dots' are where thay should be (looking at you), and then put the two halves of the pump together- make sure all the bolt holes line up, and a pair of big hose clamps around the thing to make sure it's square. Torque all the bolts, install a new Oring and gasket, drop the pump in and away you go.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: mobile alabama
leaking seal also
I have redone almosy everything in my 81 and the only leak I have is behing the converter. keep up posted on your progress. at least the fluid does not smoke when it hits the pipes.
Tom
Tom
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
My 3 cents:
If the fluid leaks out overnight from front, it's the front pump o-ring. If it leaks only after being driven or engine running, it's the seal. Which does yours do?
Also, some leaks other than front pump will travel to front area and lead you to believe it's the pump. Pan gasket, dipstick, detent or shifter seal for example.
At our trans. shop, what we did when tracing leaks is wipe it down and let it sit overnight, if not leaking, run engine. Always successful in finding leak location from this method. Usually, on an older transmission, when one seal/o-ring fails, the others are soon behind. More often than not, pump o-rings leak before the front seal does. Always change front seal when changing/removing torque converter.
If the fluid leaks out overnight from front, it's the front pump o-ring. If it leaks only after being driven or engine running, it's the seal. Which does yours do?
Also, some leaks other than front pump will travel to front area and lead you to believe it's the pump. Pan gasket, dipstick, detent or shifter seal for example.
At our trans. shop, what we did when tracing leaks is wipe it down and let it sit overnight, if not leaking, run engine. Always successful in finding leak location from this method. Usually, on an older transmission, when one seal/o-ring fails, the others are soon behind. More often than not, pump o-rings leak before the front seal does. Always change front seal when changing/removing torque converter.
