So I looked under the 64 valiant the other day to see where it was leaking from. I couldn't really tell, since it was quite wet on and around the pan. I scraped much of it off and wiped everywhere enough to better check for leaks. I bought a trans kit from Napa which has a new pan gasket and a screen, I'll be changing that. However, the dust cover had a dink in it like it had been hit by a rock or something. Anyway, I took it off to see what was under it and it looked like tranny fluid was dripping from the bell housing where the dust cover was. Once opened I could definately see tranny fluid in the bell housing but the cover doesn't have a seal or gasket. I really don't know much about transmissions so is the dust cover supposed to be sealed or is tranny fluid not supposed to be in the bell housing? What might be the seal that I would need to replace?

Also, this seems as good a thread as any. I'm thinking of removing the engine for paint and so I suppose this might be a good time to get engine and trans out to change all seals. If you guys were doing this, would you just yank both at the same time? What seals would you be changing in trans once they both were out? Which ones should I change on the engine I might as well just take care of everything while it is out.

Finally, what stand should I use to hold the engine trans combo whilst it is out. I believe a regluar stand might not work because of the slant6.

Sorry for the rambling nature of this thread but I'm not quite sure where I want to start with this part of the project.

Thanks in advance.

007

Its your oil pump seal in the trans leaking. Its behind the torque converter, so that will have to come out. When you pull the engine and trans (what I recommend since you want to paint the engine anyway) seperate the two to change the seal. Use some grease around the inside of the new seal before you reinstall the TQ. As long as you have everything out (yes, slants will fit on conventional engine stands) I would replace all the engine gaskets, and maybe even change the timing chain. On the trans, besides the above mentioned pump seal and pan gasket, at least inspect the seals for the dip stick tube (a rubber O ring) and the seals for the kick down lever and gear selecter, both on the driver side of the transmission. Might also want to check the tail shaft seal, where the drive shaft yoke goes into.

Has your trans been changed? I'm betting you have a pushbutton shifter.
The pushbutton style trans uses two cables, one to shift and the other for park. The park cable goes to a bolt-on housing in front of the trans mount. There is an o-ring to seal this cable that often leaks, but it's best to get an old manual to show how to remove/install it; it's a real pain to work the clip that retains it.
I'll agree with Eric; the front pump seal is leaking. Often, though, the convertor bushing in the pump is worn also, which leads to seal distortion, and a recurring leak, even after the seal is replaced. It's worth a look as long as the trans is out anyway.
It's tough to handle a slant/trans combo because of the length and weight of the assembly. You can do it either way, but I usually take mine separately.

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston