I'm having a real fun time with my new project. I bought an 85 Camarowith a 700r4(I'm assuming anyway)and haven't been able to drive it since bringing it home because it leaks trans fluid. It appears to be coming from the front of the trans where the block and bellhousing meet and is running down the front of the trans pan and leaving a puddle on my garage floor. It's got to the point I've begun calling it the Juan Val-dez. Any way this leaves me with 2 questions:
1. my manual gives several options for leaking transmission fluid, including a loose pan/bad gasket, a loose filler tube, loose pressure hose, etc. I've also been told it could be a front pump sealwent bad. What's my best bet to find out without pulling the trans.
2. If I have to pull the trans like it seems I will, what's the easiestway to getit out. I'm seriously considering pulling the motor/trans asone piece and then taking them apart fix, reassemble and reinstall as one piece.That just seems like a lot of work. thanks, James.

 

well the best thing to do is clean off where the oil is on the transmission very thoroughly. then run it around the block a couple times and inspect where its coming from. if its not around the pan area, i would say you need to pull the trans. and as for removing the trans, dont pull the motor and trans as one piece, far too much of a headache. just remove the driveshaft, put a trans jack under the trans, remove the crossmember holding it in, disconnect the wiring, such as speedo and reverse lights and all other wiring, then pull the bellhousing bolts out and slide the trans out, far easier than pulling the motor as well, unless you intend on rebuilding the engine while your at it.

 

Does it have one of those chrome filler tubes? Allot of customers where i work complain of them leaking.

 

I have to take a closer look at the underside of the car when I have time, but I can tell the fluid is leaking down the front of the trans pan as it sits now. As far as the dipstick, it wouldn't surprise me as the previous owner replacedeverything else that would unbolt with chrome. Thanks.