Bought this '73 D-100 truck as a project last week. I was told that the tranny (727) had
a front seal leak, that it was fixed, and that it came back shortly afterwards. Okay says
I, some more fun work! Today I took a look for the first time. Now, thinking about the 727,
if the front seal were leaking, the only place it could come out is at the inspection cover
on the front of the bellhousing (which is integrated with the case).
But my inspection cover, and indeed the whole bottom of the bellhousing, is dry as a bone!!

The leak (only when it's running) is right over the crossover pipe for the exhaust, and
directly above it is the front of the tranny pan. And that area is wet! To me, this
is where it seems to be coming from as I watch it.

So my question is, does returning fluid flow over the inside of the front pan area
when the pump is running? The outside of the gasket looks pretty bad, so I'm hoping
all I have is a bad gasket and not a front seal leak.