[epluribus funk]

just got back for a nice little drive w/ the wife in the '69 to the local piggly wiggly and pull into the garage and surprise! a couple decent sized leaks under the car. the first one is about 2" in diameter puddle right under the back of engine where it bolts to bellhousing and the second is about 3" in diameter puddle but it's appears to be running down trans and then coming down (past bellhousing). i'm guessing rear main seal on the first but could the second be a trans leak? (m20) the oil looks to be same consistency but the leak by rear main seal was a little darker in color. can rear main seals be fixed wo/ tearing it all apart? see pic. thx for any advice.

[epluribus funk]

[epluribus funk]

[vincevs]

Smell the puddle at the back... M20 trans gear oil has a very distinct strong smell.

[nashcar]

Make sure your transmission is not over full or it will leak out the front.

[67Carl]

My car did the same thing when I had the M21 and after I had the TKO installed. Small drip, sometimes on the back of oilpan, sometimes bell housing. To me this means motor (rear main seal?), not tranny. Maybe same for you. Not sure of an easy fix. Just put a foil pan with kitty litter on that spot and keep an eye on the dipstick.

[daverichard]

If it is motor oil, check the back of the intake manifold, the oil sender, and the distributor base. Those all look like a rear main issue until close inspection.

[epluribus funk]

thx for the replies guys-this site is awesome i smelled the rear most puddle (which is now 5" in diameter) no funky smell. definately motor oil. (i use valvoline 80w-90 in trans) so i guess it's running past bell housing. can rear main be repaired wo/ ripping it all apart? it's a 96 lt1- fi- no dist. if that makes any dif

[epluribus funk]

btw Carl- was the tko conversion worth the hassle/expense? i would Love another gear-my car has a 3:70 10 bolt and the motor is definately singing at 65 mph

[john68]

96 You will pull the trans, One piece rear main seal. Still could be intake or vc gaskets.

[epluribus funk]

just felt behind motor- back of vc's and intake dry as a bone-bummer

[67Carl]

Originally Posted by epluribus funk

btw Carl- was the tko conversion worth the hassle/expense? i would Love another gear-my car has a 3:70 10 bolt and the motor is definately singing at 65 mph

The expense was a tough pill to swallow but absolutely worth it to me. I intend to use the car as a daily driver and I just couldn't go on the freeway with the M21 close ratio. The PO had 195/60r15s on it! The engine was just screaming at 55mph. Felt for sure like it was going to barf a rod out the hood. With new wheels and tranny I cruise close to 80mph around 2200 rpm. Better gas mileage, more versatile and enjoyable to drive. Depends on how you intend to use your car but this was by far the best upgrade.

[epluribus funk]

woke up this morning and now my leak is 10" in diameter! ouch-anybody have any experience replacing rear main seal? can it be done w/ motor in car just taking off the pan??

[MRCOOL_RSSS350]

if you remove the tranny clutch and flywheel you can remove the seal with a flat screwdriver and a hammer. Coat the new seal with some RTV on the outside and tap it back Using a piece of 4" pvc pipe. the leak can also be from the oil pan gasket so when you have everything off check that also

[Hothead]

Originally Posted by epluribus funk

woke up this morning and now my leak is 10" in diameter! ouch-anybody have any experience replacing rear main seal? can it be done w/ motor in car just taking off the pan??

Did mine last year on my 67 350 auto. While it wasnt easy to do with motor in the car, its doable. I posted some pics a while back and theres a link with pics and a guide. Not sure if yours is a one or two piece seal. and I dont think a one piece can be done with motor in car.
Cheers