QuestionHi, my husband and I have a 1966 ford mustang. It has a straight 6 engine and we're having some problems with a leak in the transmission. The leak started several months ago and upon examination we found that it was leaking from the front left corner of the oil pan. We tried replacing the filter and the pan gasket 3 times to no avail, so we bought a new pan and now it is leaking from the bolt holes and the front middle of the pan. We can't figure out if we're putting it on wrong, or if we have a problem in the tranmission. We bought the car a little over a year ago and were told the transmission had been rebuilt and that it was adjusted right before we purchased it. While driving it home we noticed a tranmission oil leak and since we've had it it has shifted hard in reverse and going into drive. As well as not wanting to shift until you get to about 45-50 miles per hour and then it doesn't always like to shift smoothly. It sounds as if it's over reving because it doesn't want to shift. A couple months back we started noticing the oil leak from underneath and a burnt oil smell and that the oil on the dip stick was dark almost black. We don't know if the adjustments they did when we bought it were maybe too tight and it's caused the moving parts inside the tranny to begin to rub and perhaps screw something up. We need to find out if there is something we can do without having to drop the tranmission and do an overhaul on it. We would prefer to not have to, but if need be we're going to have to do it regardless. So we're just looking to see if we can get some expert advice on what might be causing the leak. Thanks so much for your time.
Sonseria
AnswerI know you don't want to hear this, but I think the last person who worked on the transmission messed it up pretty severely. These are very reliable transmissions, and should go more than 100,000 miles without having to be touched again after a proper rebuild.
The leak is the least of your problems - since you mention a burnt smell, and also the poor shift performance, there are serious problems with this transmission, and you need to find a competent mechanic to rebuild it again for you.
Look for a shop that has been in business for at least 20 years, with a local owner (not one of the "chain" stores). Check them out to see that the mechanics have gray hair and grease under their fingernails, and like to work on old cars.
This is a very common and easy transmission to rebuild - it should be easy to find someone you can trust to do it right.
The problems with leaks could be that the vent is plugged, or else the case is warped or cracked so it wont seal, but as I say, that is the least of your problems.
Dick
