leaky bellhousing??

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chingon69

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could someone please tell me why i would have, what appears to be oil, leaking out of my bellhousing. its a 383 with a833. Its a noticable leak, not just a drip. Theres no oil on the flywheel, but the fluid is pooled in the transmission side of the bellhousing. keeping an eye on the oil level, but it hasn't changed. any suggestions would help
 
Input bearing retainer is probably leaking. Sounds like your tranny is coming out to change the gasket. Should be the 4.8in gasket if it's a 383 tranny, 383's got the 23 spline 4.8in IBR.
 
recently bought the car, and from what i understand its a 383 with a small block 4spd. my dad seems to think its an oil leak, i'm leaning more towards trans leak just because the size of the puddles and there's no change in oil levels, and because its coming from the back of the housing
 
i was hoping to drive it atleast the first summer b4 having to tackle something like this, but i guess it comes with owning a 40 year old car
 
4.3in IBR then if it's a SB 4spd unless it's an over drive then it's 5in something. Tranny pull is easy enough shouldn't take an afternoon to get it done. What does it smell like? Gear oil or atf typically, sometimes they are filled with motor oil though.
 
It's not a big deal if it's the input retainer seal. You do have to pull the trans and it's a beast but it's a 10 minute repair. Do the rear seal too, they are cheap enough. You might want to replace the throw out bearing at the same time. Any good trans shop should be able to do it in about 2 hours.
 
when i bought it, i was told the speedometer cable was not reconnected. the owner did tell me about the drip and said he thought it was from that. i was fine with a drip every once in a while. but the drip turned into a small spot, then a puddle. it seems the more i drive it the worse it gets
 
Did you give the oil a sniff? If its gear oil from the trans, it does have a very distinct odor.

I had a leak coming from my bellhousing. At first I thought it was from the front trans seal but it didn't smell like gear oil. It turned out be be caused by the engine protector plate on the scattershield pressing too tightly against the oil pan gasket.

Hows this for a leak?
 

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You might get lucky and get by with just changing the gasket and seal.
It there is much up and down play in the input shaft, the trans needs bearings.
 
Did you give the oil a sniff? If its gear oil from the trans, it does have a very distinct odor.

I had a leak coming from my bellhousing. At first I thought it was from the front trans seal but it didn't smell like gear oil. It turned out be be caused by the engine protector plate on the scattershield pressing too tightly against the oil pan gasket.

Hows this for a leak?

I had the same issue. Sucked having to fix it but it leaked just as bad as yours. Had to "nip" the block plate to prevent an encore event.
 
When you find and correct your leak...for future reference, the correct lubricant for the 833 is ATF.
 
I just went thru a similar issue. Check the oil sender on the motor. I was having similar problem and it turned out the sender was seeping and the oil was getting in the bell housing. Very odd that it didn't wet the flywheel, but the problem was the sender. This was on a 440.

Good luck

Rich
 
I had the same issue. Sucked having to fix it but it leaked just as bad as yours. Had to "nip" the block plate to prevent an encore event.

Guys,coud you elaborate on the fix for this a bit more? I'm putting a lakewood with block plate on my 360 magnum and would like to take care of this issue now rather than later.

What exactly should I look for? I'm mocking everything up outside the car first.

thanks,
Mike
 
Guys,coud you elaborate on the fix for this a bit more? I'm putting a lakewood with block plate on my 360 magnum and would like to take care of this issue now rather than later.

What exactly should I look for? I'm mocking everything up outside the car first.

thanks,
Mike

Look right where the oil pan meets the block. My block plate rubbed this area enough to compromise the seal. I would make sure the block plate DOES NOT TOUCH THE OIL PAN!!
 
Guys,coud you elaborate on the fix for this a bit more? I'm putting a lakewood with block plate on my 360 magnum and would like to take care of this issue now rather than later.

What exactly should I look for? I'm mocking everything up outside the car first.

thanks,
Mike

Look right where the oil pan meets the block. My block plate rubbed this area enough to compromise the seal. I would make sure the block plate DOES NOT TOUCH THE OIL PAN!!

Sorry to be getting away from the OP's problem but as far as the engine protector plate; I opened the hole on the engine plate another inch. It doesn't seem to take away from its ability to protect the block all that much. It wont be pressing on the gasket this way.
 

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Sorry to be getting away from the OP's problem but as far as the engine protector plate; I opened the hole on the engine plate another inch. It doesn't seem to take away from its ability to protect the block all that much. It wont be pressing on the gasket this way.

That should work.
 
Back to the off topic engine plate.

Here it is opened up ready to go back together. It should not cause leaks, keep road grime out and protect the engine in case of a flywheel/clutch failure.
 

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