C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 12:25 AM
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I believe my main seal (1980) is leaking. Will be taking it into the shop to verify.

IF it is leaking and I have to have the main seal replaced....is there any maintenance or preventive maintenance items that should be done while the transmission is down (besides new filter and pan gasket)? I was told there is a seal that goes bad - located on the side of the transmission where the auto shifter control arm enters....anything else I need to address?

Transmission fluid looks good-changed about 9k miles ago, no burnt smell, and it currently shifts fine.

Motor will continue to be stock, so don't think I need to beef up the internals of the transmission to accept more hp.

Thanks!
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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Assuming your leak is trans fluid and not engine oil, have the shop look at the condition of the front pump bushing while the trans is out. They can see it with a light when the convertor is out for the seal replacement. And look at the "hub" on the convertor too- any scoring or wear could make it a candidate for replacement. As far as the rest of the seals- rear (output) shaft and selector shaft, the trans is out, it can't hurt.

If it's engine oil leaking, the trans won't need to come out unless the engine has been replaced with a 90's one piece seal type.
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 08:42 PM
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If it has high enough miles to have a leaking rear main seal, I;d replace the oil pump with a high volume pump since it's that far down.
I'd pull #1 and #5 main and take a look at the bearing. Also a rod cap or two and check the wear there too.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 08:50 AM
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My mistake...the front wheels of the car are up on my roll up ramps-about 10" off the ground - rear on the ground. While POR15 the floor pans I noticed fluid leaking on the plywood in front of the transmission pan. The car had been started a few times while up on the front ramps. Seems to only be active after starting the car and letting it run for a minute or two.

I ***-u-me(d) it was transmission fluid because of the location of the drip in front of the trans. pan, but after doing the official "dip finger in the fluid" test it is (fresh) OIL.

Original motor and trans. Miles around 59k.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Wood1980
My mistake...the front wheels of the car are up on my roll up ramps-about 10" off the ground - rear on the ground. While POR15 the floor pans I noticed fluid leaking on the plywood in front of the transmission pan. The car had been started a few times while up on the front ramps. Seems to only be active after starting the car and letting it run for a minute or two.

I ***-u-me(d) it was transmission fluid because of the location of the drip in front of the trans. pan, but after doing the official "dip finger in the fluid" test it is (fresh) OIL.

Original motor and trans. Miles around 59k.
Sounds like you probably have the original 2-piece rear main seal. Running the engine on an incline would place more oil at the rear of the engine and cause a leak, especially if the top half of the seal is bad. Like said before, the seal can be changed without removing the transmission. It can be a bit tricky to get the old seal out and the new one installed properly so that it won't leak.
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 12:07 AM
  #6  
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Ok...for some reason I was hoping the main seal would leak trans. fluid and not oil. Since the leak is oil and so far back (front of trans pan), it probably is the main seal. The mechanic mentioned putting die in if it was not evident once they put it on the lift. I just cant get under the car to take a good look.

Thanks!

Last edited by Wood1980; Sep 17, 2010 at 12:08 AM. Reason: add
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