Rear main seal or transmission leak?

[bbbc3]

I have a bad oil leak under my truck between the block and bellhousing. My assumption was the rear main seal but when I removed my transmission the seal looks like it is in good shape (engine rebuilt 5 yrs ago). It could possibly be oil pan gasket that curves around my rear seal.

So I went back over to my transmission and the inside of the bellhousing is covered in wet oil. Much much more than what’s on the engine block. It actually puddled at the bottom of the bellhousing so I dipped my finger in it to smell it and it doesn’t have an exhaust smell like used engine oil. Could it be a leak from the transmission side?

1985 2.8l with 4spd 4wd.

Blake

 

[Curious Hound]

I would think it could be. Can you tell what color it is? Or is it just a dirty oily mess? Has your clutch been losing oil? Could be slave cylinder.

 

[bbbc3]

I would think it could be. Can you tell what color it is? Or is it just a dirty oily mess? Has your clutch been losing oil? Could be slave cylinder.

It’s a dirty oily mess. The reason I don’t think it’s from the engine is because it doesn’t have that used oil smell and I never run low on engine oil.
After reading your message I went and checked the master cylinder.. barely any fluid in there although I’ve never checked this before.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The clutch master doesn't hold alot of fluid. Not enough that one would say that they would say I have a "bad leak". I would think at this point... if I had the transmission out... I would replace the slave. You should also check the level of the lube in the transmission... perhaps the input shaft seal is leaking also.

 

[bbbc3]

I think I’m going to consider a M5OD swap for the 5th gear and upgrade. I’ll replace the slave, clutch, etc. in the process.