'68 ford 390/c6 transmission leak. Not a big one, just a little spot after sitting for a while. I haven't cleaned the engine/tranny since I've owned it, so there is some crude down there, which is making it hard to locate. The pan gasket is new, bolts tight, but still a little spot after sitting. Anyone have an idea where this could be comming from?
It's gotta be coming from the transmission. Question on the ASE mechanics exam: There is a puddle of brown liquid near the front of the transmission. Mechanic A says the transmission is leaking. Mechanic B says the front transmission seal is leaking. Who is correct? A, B, both, or neither.
It depends where under the transmission the spot is. At the very front, front seal. At the very rear, rear seal. In the middle, could be the transmission pan gasket. The pans are made from a very thin sheet metal and it does not take much to warp them ever so slightly. They only take about 7 pounds of torque, the same as valve covers. Best bet is to clean everything and look for the leak. Failing that, there is a dye you can put in that will glow under black light. That pinpoints the leak pretty effectively.
After sitting for a while, torque converters drain back oil into the transmission raising the fluid level higher than normal. Sometimes an old dipstick tube oring or shift shaft seal will leak a bit at this point. Take the wagon to a self-serve car wash and blast the underside of the tranny clean with the pressure nozzle and then finding the leak will be much easier.
Old Fords are like old Harleys they are supposed to leave their mark. As mentioned clean the tranny off and watch for the next time it leaks. What color is the leaky oil or fluid? But what about OldFox's ASE exam questions?
Keep an eye on where the shift lever goes into the trans. Both of my C6 transmissions have leaked from there after sitting for a long time (more than two weeks).
