Hi

I'm 17 and just purchased my first camaro 1983 Z28.

It has a 305 V8 (carburated) and a 350 turbo hydramatic transmission.

Been busy working on it and have run into a few problems.

#1 Changed the power steering hoses and I still leak PS fluid.
How can I tell if it is coming from the pump or the gearbox?

#2 Transmission fluid leaks from speedometer cable.
O ring on speedometer gear seems intact, threads seem OK but cannot fully seat cable nut flush against gear in transmission.
Since the car came w/700R4 transmission is the cable nut a different length for the 350 TH transmssion?? Pictures would really help.

#3 When I get the cash what headers (no cats) and exhaust systemm would you recommend.

Thanks in advance I'm getting frustrated and my mother wants her garage space back.

 

#1 The threaded end of the hose fitting is very easily cross threaded, that would be my first location to check. It is doubtfull the pump is leaking, but it is always possible.

#2 I am not sure what type of cable you have but there are some with plastic fittings and some with steel. The plastic threads are easily damaged and it can leak if its been removed and replaced a few times.

#3 Don't waste your time on that kind of stuff yet. Just enjoy what you have. There would be only modest performance gains and you are looking a big chunk of money for headers and a new Y pipe to go from ball fittings to a collector fitting. IMO, get the rest of the car tip top before you do that kind of stuff. I bought my 87 in 1994 when I was 15, it has taken me almost 16 years to get it to where I want it. Take your time.

 

How the speedo cable is screwed to the gear housing should have nothing to do with leaking or not, there shouldn't be oil inside there. The speedo driven gear housing is a leak-prone piece. I had a chronic leak problem with mine until I got one of these, it does the trick: Speedo Gear Housing

 

69: I typically agree with about 99% of what you say, but on this one...not so much. I too bought the aluminum housing, and it was way way better, but the driven gear shaft has a square notch that runs all the way through the shaft (there is a seal on the housing to prevent leaks) but if the cable end is not threaded in it tends to run out the threads. I just had mine off to change the driven gear. I wondered why the shaft didn't just have the square receiving end stop about halfway.

 

The housing I gave a link to is a machined piece of steel, not aluminum as factory ones are. I've had my fair share of T350's leaking from in and around the speedo gear housing. Even replacing the inner and outer o-rings didn't help. And people with experience with these trannys will tell you the same thing about leaks. It's so much that this steel housing is sold as a "fix" for having leaky housing problems. Hey, I'm not going to argue with personal success...a night and day difference in fact.

 

Maybe the difference between the TH350 and 700R4. I've never dealt with a TH except on old service vehicles.

 

Alright thanks for the input and I appreciate your help. I'm going to try out the speedo gear housing and tomorrow I will be replacing my heater core so I might run into a few problems with that. Additionally, I found out that my drivers seat is busted because it doesnt stay latched in an upright position and moves forward freely.

 

#1- there is a thread in the 3rd gen section and it's still on the first page


#2- both of mine do that. I messed with them, got them to stay locked but they revert back. It's not worth it to me and I'll worry about it if I get nailed from behind real hard.. But, I always wear my belt