I have 77 with automatic that I need to pull. Front seal leaking

( seal behind torque convertor ). Will I have to reconfirure crossmember
or will transmission slide back far enough to get transmission out.

 

GLO,

I would pull the tranny out. Remove the crossmember. With the tranny out, I think it would be easier to replace the front seal. And since the transmission is out you might as well replace the rear seal too.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

Your biggest decision is whether to pull the whole powertrain and rebuild it...or not. If the engine/tranny have never been rebuilt, now is the right time to do it. With both working properly now (and assuming you just want to rebuild them as 'stock'), the rebuild process is pretty simple and relatively low cost. Just consider the amount of work just to change the tranny front seal. Then imagine that the tranny starts slipping a week after you do all that for the seal.

Now, if the engine only has 60K miles or so on it, limit your work to the transmission...but rebuild the whole unit while it is out.

 

The seal is easily replaced with the trans out, and the part should only cost a couple dollars. Pulling the entire powertrain out for a rebuild, or rebuilding the trans because of a front seal isn't warranted. At all. If you can do the trans rebuild yourself (based on your first question, I'd assume that would be a no) you're looking at easily over $750 to have it done for you, if you pull it and bring it to a shop.

If everything is running well, and you don't have anyother issues, or modifications you want to do, stick with the seal.

 

Transmission has been rebuilt . i say seal due too fluid dripping out of trans flywheel/convertor cover after sitting . Just wondering if I can slide trans back far enough to get to seal.

 

No way you can get the transmission back far enough to remove the torque convertor to get that seal out. The torque convertor has to go back in to the transmission a certain way. Also it is best to use a seal driver to install that seal or you will have a worse leak.

 

Sorry to say that getting this back far enough to change the seal would be more work than just dropping it the rest of the way..to many things can go wrong.if not done right..only reason I am posting on this is to question why a trans that has already been rebuilt is leaking..especially from the front seal? Ok my thoughts are its been ten years since rebuild and its just worn out..or..the front pump bushing may be worn and allowing some wobble and knocked out the seal?? I would really look at the torque converter seal area..look for a line int the hub..kinda like the one on a harmonic balancer that has some time on it that need a seal saver..also if you haven't done this kind of job before be carefull putting the converter back on the trans..make sure you turn and push while seating the converter into the pump..when its in all the way you can't get your fingers behind the converter and housing..once you get that trans back up and in make sure you can turn the converter by hand..if not the converter is not seated all the way and will damage the pump if tightened down that way..one other thing try to find an installed tool to replace the seal..if not stop by a trans shop and see if they will pop it in for you..

 

One of the main causes of front seal leakage is pump bushing wear...thus, causing shaft wobble, then seal wear. Along with that you have 30+ years of wear on the clutch plates, seals, gaskets, etc. Do what you want, but changing just the seal would be a mistake, IMO.

 

I would have to agree..I just don't know how long its been since the rebuild! Some rebuild guys just do steels seals and clutches and have no ambition to open a pump and replace the bushing! Sad isn't it..but getting into the pump may be the only true repair!

 

I searched for a thread on here about pulling the tranny but no luck. Is there enough room under the car to pull the tranny with the car on jack stands? My seals are leaking to but I don't have the money to give someone to do it. I may attempt it next winter.

 

If its not leaking that bad you may be able to get away with it..only one word of caution..once these start to leak and the pump bushing is the problem the seal can blow out completely..that shuts ya down..and it can ruin the pump..I would suggest a shop manual from gm for the removal process...yes you can do the job on jack stands but they need to be big ones so to go up high enough to get under there...

 

Not sure if it is the seal took cover off and reach up in convertor don't feel or see any fluid leaking . Going to leave cover off and see if their is any leaking. Did notice fluid around pan gasket. By the way transmission has only about 500 miles since rebuild.