hey guys/gals i have a liquid leaking from my tranny pan, not much but enough to **** off my older neighbor (sharred garage) i dont see a hole on it but there is a small stain on the pavement any ideas on the cause or what i should look for. this is my first classic and im no mechanic but id like to know what im looking at before my mechanic bends me over the cash register.... any help appreciated

 

First, what year and drivetrain Monte do you have?

First, do you know it's trans fluid (red in color, it's own nasty smell). If it is trans fluid, check and ensure all the pan bolts are snug, check that the lines are not leaking.

 

1984 ss original 305 v8 no upgrades (yet) so everything is original and stock and the fluid isn't red id say its dark brownish and somewhat grainy. My sense of smell isn't the strongest but there isn't a strong odor I can notice. My mechanic has replaced a lot suh as transmission pan' oil pan full tune up. Not sure if he is milking me or really doing the work however he did give me warrantys on parts and his work.????

 

Really old trans fluid can get a brownish color, but usually you can still tell it's red (if it's brown trans fluid, that's an issue IMO).

Brown fluid is normally motor oil. It starts as a golden color, gets brown and then blackish during it's life.

Common spots to check for oil leaks on any engine are:
- Oil filter
- Oil drain plug
- Oil pan
- Valve covers

 

I had a full tune up done' value covers oil pan and oil change. Its not red fluid at all but its coming or atleast dripping under the tranny pan, not heavy but enough to have to wipe up off the ground

 

this is the most common problem with the chevy 305/350.......

Fixing Your Leaky Timing Chain Cover - Tech Article - Chevy ...

 

Could be a leaking rear main oil seal. It'll drip out from the front of your transmission pan.

 

Wvmontels, I agree with you. I have the exact same problem with the rear main seal. Never dawned on me til now that's part of the reason I should put a stroker motor or bore over the 305 and take care of my oil leak. Leaves a puddle about 2" in diameter.

 

Yeah, unfortunately you have to pull the motor to get to the rear main. You take it out and take the flywheel off to get to it. In case anybody didn't know.