<VV> Auto Trans Fluid Leak

[Greg Shaw]

 I recently bought a Rampside for my brother down here in SE Michigan. It was a 
4 speed converted to and automatic. It had been sitting 5 years. The engine 
started pretty easy but the truck wouldn't move. Oh, no trans fluid. The guy I 
bought it from mentioned a previous leak that had been repaired (seal 
replacement, didn't say which). He said his father had died and the truck was 
never restarted. So I added fluid and let it idle a while. I then put the trans 
in D.... no response.  I tried R...... after several seconds it engaged. Back to 
D several seconds later it engaged. Ok, maybe I add more fluid. When I went back 
to add more I noticed a nice puddle under the back of the truck. I looked 
underneath and saw trans fluid in a small stream running out of the hole in the 
bell housing. When I shut the engine off the stream actually got worse and 
lasted for more then a couple minutes.
  I am expecting an improperly installed (if it's there at all) torque converter 
hub seal. Your thoughts????? Also, would a lack of fluid cause the trans delay 
to engage? I don't want to take the trans-axle out and fix the leak, reassemble 
and find the shifting issue still there. Other than trying to fill the trans 
with additional fluid to try again is there any tests I can do to eliminate 
other causes for the shift delay? It has a 95 HP car engine. I don't know any 
specifics on the trans/axle.  Thanks in advance.

Greg Shaw
Dearborn, MI