Tranny leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Tranny leak
I just bought my 79 on Sunday and LOVE this thing. But I have a minor tranny leak coming from the left hand side. I just put a new pan gasket on as I thought that may be where it was coming from but it's still leaking. Now that I look, I see that it MAY be coming from where the shift linkage enters the tranny since when it drips, it's dripping from the bottom lever of the shift linkage. I just took it for a drive and it seemed to be a little around the pan gasket, but I could see some up on where the shift linkage enters the tranny too. What is the best way to find exactly where this is coming from? Even though I just put the new pan gasket on, I may have tightened it too much, I couldnt find a torque spec on the pan. It's not life or death, it's just enough of a leak to **** me off. So I dont know if it's leaking from the shift linkage and driving it is causing air to blow the fluid around, or vice versa..any help or input on how to diagnose this leak will be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
I am not sure what the proper torque for the trans oil pan is other than snug but if its still leaking from the same area after you changed the pan gasket it is probably the shifter seal. I had to change mine its not too bad of a job. i did mine by removing the oil pan and removing the shift rod but I have since seen a post where there is a tool to just pop out the seal with the rod in place. The seal is only a couple of bucks and I bought mine at the local parts store.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Clean it up with degreaser and water or spray it with brake cleaner then crank her up and wait for a leak.
More than likely its the shifter seal. I changed mine by digging the seal out and pushing a new one on. Next time I will try simply pushing a new on in on top of the old one.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
More than likely its the shifter seal. I changed mine by digging the seal out and pushing a new one on. Next time I will try simply pushing a new on in on top of the old one.[/QUOTE]
If this is not the problem, check the dedent cable, I had the same problem trying to pinpoint the leak on my '78. ended up being the o-ring had split. you will need to drop the pan to change this.
If this is not the problem, check the dedent cable, I had the same problem trying to pinpoint the leak on my '78. ended up being the o-ring had split. you will need to drop the pan to change this.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla Alaska
Vegas, thanks for the post I'm having a similar issue with the tranny in my 75. I did did the gasket as well and from what I remember on the torque specs the bolts should be tightened to 14ft/lbs. Hope that helps 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Thanks for the help. I think what I'm going to do is order a new tranny pan, one with a drain plug, so when stuff does go wrong it's not such a pain to drain the pan, and when I do that I'll do the seal for the shifter. Thanks again for the help!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Just make sure that before you install a new shifter shaft seal, check the shaft for any burrs. Take emery cloth to it to smooth it out. If you don't do this, the new seal will get torn up rather quickly and you'll just have a leak all over again.
Rich
Rich
