Help!

[RogG]

I'm fairly new to the hobby and have two problems I need help with. First, the brakes on my 65 seem to lock up and the pedal stays on the floor. It comes back up when I lift up on it and the brakes release but I'm scared to drive it like this. What's wrong?
Second, after I start the car I get drips from the transmission and a small (silver dollar sized) puddle of trans fluid on the driveway. The car sat for a year before I got it running again. What's likely to be the problem there? Can I safely drive it to a trans shop without blowing the whole thing up? I've got everything else working and running great and now this stuff! AAAAAAAAARG!!!

 

[Joe Vandatta]

The brake problem sounds like a defective vaccum booster if it tries to pull the pedal away from you.
As for the tranny leak, if the pan gasket is okay you probably have a bad seal. As long as you have enough fluid I see no problem in driving it in for inspection.

 

[Captain Mike]

At an auto parts store, pick up a can of transmission seal lubricant/sealer and add it to your tranny fluid. There's a coupla different brands but they're all designed to re-condition old dried-up seals. Has worked great for me and stopped my leaky front seal. If after a few days of driving you still have a leak, its probably not a seal but the pan gasket.

 

[Paul Johnson]

I have talked to several transmission shop guys and none of them recommend any trans additive. They all will tell you that if you have a leak - you may be making a bigger problem - take it to a pro.

 

[Captain Mike]

Not surprised that transmission shop guys discourage folks from using additives. They don't make any money that way and would rather you bring it in to them and spend a coupla hundred bucks. A transmission guy that I trust once suggested that a teaspoonful of paint thinner added to the tranny fluid softens hardened seals as well as any of the "over the counter" additives.