As many may know i just did a trans swap had to use the old bell on the new /used trans.

The orginal never leaked so presumed good now 387 miles down the line after towing two loads one at 350 lbs and another at 420 lbs of scrap steel was riding and driving good on my last trip with an empty bed going to pickup a deal sealer of a honda trans pan alumium, a blown aluminum honda trans case, plus some steel, & alumium wheels.

I was driving down a hill came to a stop and saw a white puff of smoke.


Got there and found a bit leaking from the bell, refilled it and drove slowley back to a family event.

The trans fluid now smells burnt but no flakes or discoloration, it stays in gear soft but soft between shifts.

Can a bad front seal make it feel soft?

When i got to the destination my wife looked down ans saw it dribbling in gear so i took off and drove it home before it ran out of fluid was smoking everywhere but still drives ok..

This is the stock front seal never replaced.

 

The bellhousing and front seal are aligned with front pump during assembly
If there is a misalignment then front seal will leak and you loose pressure in trans, all automatics run on fluid pressure, that's what holds them in "gear"

Short Video here of alignment process: youtube.com/watch?v=M-L71-udS_g

If you swap a bell housing you risk a misalignment, just a chance you take, sometimes it works fine sometimes if doesn't
Also check Dowel pins in engine block, and the holes on bell housing they slide into, these align the crank and torque converter center line so it doesn't wobble and make front seal leak