I'm messing with my 69 Electra parts car, that I purchased in September. Trying to get it going to better judge condition. Starts fine, swapped thermostat, bypassed fuel tank, changed oil, replaced cracked alternator, pressure washed engine twice, replaced PS pressure hose, and so on. Yesterday, I put it in gear for the first time. It did not move at all no matter what position the shifter was in. I checked the fluid, and the stick was dry. Today, I added about 5 quarts.... from a couple full quarts and several partial containers, so I'm unsure of an exact amount. I filled it right to the line, while idling. It now shifts into Reverse and Drive. I only moved it maybe a foot in both directions, as it's kind of a wet cruddy day. I'm hoping to run it up and down the road tomorrow. The car has sat for about 2 years, prior to my purchase. I would assume the ATF just leaked out. The bottom of the engine/transmission is covered in grime. The transmission is especially bad. I think some of it is from the power steering system, Though. Short of a cracked case, where would the potential leaks be on a ST-400/TH-400? Pan gasket? What else? Note: The engine coolant doesn't look oily, so I don't think it's a bad transmission cooler.
Leak points besides the pan, are the front and rear seals, fill tube O ring, speedometer sleeve seals, modulator O ring, Governor gasket, shift shaft seal and case connector seal. Could be some or all of them. Obviously, it will be very difficult to know where it is leaking from unless you clean everything.
Thank you Larry for that list. I've contemplated pressure washing the underside, but thought it may be better to leave it since it'll be parked on dirt this winter, and would serve to protect it from moisture. That was before I knew the leak was large enough to let so much fluid go that the car would not move.... or maybe it was length of time, not the size of the leak. I'll check the level again tomorrow. I'm not sure what I want to do..... getting tired of messing with it since it's not stored here at home, and the weather has turned cold and wet. I was so glad it actually moved today after adding ATF.
