Tranny fluid leak and burning oil

Bills89GT

Member
Jun 16, 2010
127
0
16
Canton CT
I finally got the money to finish my car up and get it on the road. Ive come accross several issues (as expected) but there are a couple things I can't figure out on my own.

First, tranny fluid is leaking out the tailshaft seal when I park on a hill, even just a small incline. It is a brand new tremec t-5 Tranny (1352-251 on the tag if it matters). The driveshaft is an aluminum ford racing unit that I purchased used. I already tried replacing the seal twice and it looks like it fits good

The other issue i'm having is the engine is burning some oil. I was looking for a bad cylinder or something but it seems i am just getting a lot of oil in the intake and then getting into the engine. I have an edelbrock intake so it has the removable cover and when i pulled it off oil drained out of it and is still puddled up in it. I have a new PCV and I cleaned the little screen out when I assembled the engine so I'm stumped
 
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Does the tranny seal sit flush with the output shaft case or does it stick out about 1.5"? I had bought a rebuilt T5 that had a new seal in it, when I got around to putting the trans in it leaked whenever I was driving the car. Turns out it was the wrong seal (maybe for an automatic) so I got the correct seal. Also, if you have any sort of minor corrosion on the slip yoke on the DS it can cause a slight leak - I very lightly "polished" the yoke on mine and it has been leak free.
 
for the oil problem try running a catch can you can make one for like 20 bucks....i used the compressors water trap they sell at home depot and the two barb fittings and bought some hose from auto parts store and placed it in line with the pcv valve and the intake
 
ill take a look at the seal when I get a chance. there was a little rust on the yoke that I polished with a scotch brite pad.

as far as a catch can, what exactly does it do? is it just a band aid fix for a bigger problem?
 
Here are a few pictures of what I'm dealing with..

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ya it is definitely new. I got it with my parts car that was a guys unfinished project. I took the tailshaft housing off a while ago because I messed up the speedo gear (long story, not gonna get into it) and brought it to a tranny shop and the guy there even noticed it was new
 
well...should be able to rule out the tail shaft bushing by looking to see if you see any copper showing.

copper showing where? by the seal?

Ok sounds like I should give the catch can a try. So its just a water separator for an air compressor that I should pick up? are there any write ups on here or should post some pics up while I try it?
 
Alright I did some research online about the home-depot catch cans and found a few write-ups on other forums and adpted the ideas on my stang. it was really pretty self explanitory. i read that the filter had to be removed to prevent it from clogging with oil but i thought it would be better to just drill holes in it to leave more area for the vaporized oil to condense on. also the valve on the bottom is sprung close and vacuum would pull it open so i replaced it with a bolt and sealed it with fuel injector o rings. i used a 2" exhaust clamp to mount it. I wanted easy access to empty the can so i welded the clamp to keep it from tightening and mounted it to the firewall

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well I guess that wasnt the problem. I took it for a good 40 mile cruise with some romping on it of course and I got a little oil in the catch can, but I am down about 1/4 of a quart :( any suggestions?? I have no money to put in it either Haha