T-56 Swap/ Leaky tranny

I've got a trans. in my garage right now. When I moved it off the back of my friend's truck it leaked out of the tail shaft (Where the slip yoke slips in). I've heard before that this is normal, I've heard that the slip yoke should be left in the trans. upon being removed from the car to prevent this. Is this true? Also when I sat it face down (bellhousing on the floor) it leaked. Not sure whether it was left over fluid from the tail shaft or whether it was from the input shaft area. Are there any places around the front of the trans that leak normally aswell? FYI the trans is a T56. Eventually I drained the trans. before moving it into my garage. Something an intelligent person would have done initially. Thanks for your help! -Adam

|UPDATED|7/29/2004 11:18:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

The tail shaft yoke has to be in place to make the rear seal. Yes, the trans can leak from the front seal as well. If that is leaking I would probably have a trans shop freshen it up prior to installation if it were mine.

Both leaks with the trans out are perfectly normal. If you look the rear seal contacts the slip yoke. No yoke, no seal.
Setting it on the front requires removal of the torque converter. Same as on the back. The front seal seals to the torque converter. Even if you did not pull the converter, it would slip out of place, and leak. You have normal conditions, nothing to worry about.

But I agree, it's a good idea to install all new seals while it's out.

Why did you take it out?

kstyer said: Setting it on the front requires removal of the torque converter.

its a t56 ... stick... shouldnt leak out of front..

Thanks for your help guys... I was kind of freakin out. I really don't think that the front seal was leaking, it was probably just fluid from the tail shaft that dripped down the side of the trans when I flipped it. But! I will make sure that there is nothing wrong, shouldn't be the trans only has 45,000 miles on it. And I never took the trans out of my car, it is from a different car, it's going in mine as an upgrade. In fact, if everything goes smoothly it should be in my car in less that two weeks! -Adam

Yep a t-56. See what happen when I'm tired? Missed that little detail. It should not leak in front. Guess that leaves me in a clutch.

Guess I'm showing my age abit, but my previous Vette, a 67 Ragtop, had a Muncie M-21 4 speed manual Trans and it would have and did leak out the front bearing and retainer if it was pointed down input shaft down.

Newer manuals have a sealed frount bearing now?

NJ BB Ken

Yes, and your M-21 should have had one as well. I'm suprised it didn't run out of lube or fill with crud.

OK, I woke up this morning and filled that tranny with 1/2 a quart of fluid. I moved it all around and put it face down. Didn't leak a bit. Must have just been fluid dripping down the side like I thought. Oh and yeah, it's my birthday today! Hurray for me! (You know you're a hot-rodder when you wake up and screw around with a tranmission on your b-day) -Adam

happy birthday