and i took a pic of the front where the leak is. i'm wondering since the area directly below the seal doesn't look too wet, how common is it for that big plate to leak fluid? i'm not sure what its called but it's that plate with several bolts around it. is there a gasket or something behind there that i can replace? thanks.

also on another note, the case of the tranny doesn't have a hole for the top center bolt that goes thru the block. is this how they all are or do i have a different case? there are 7 holes in the block but 6 on the case. jus wondering.

 

That's an uncommon leak. There is a o-ring on the od of the big plate aka the pump.

You have to pull the pan, filter, lock up solenoid and a metal tube for the aux valve body depending on year. Most of the time you can carefully pry the pump out from the back side. I can't remember if the valve body is in the way or not. Never pulled just the pump. You will need an o-ring and the paper gasket that goes between the pump and the case. You should replace the front seal since your there already. Make sure the bushings inside the pump are "ok" too since it's apart. Don't remove the bolts on the back side of the pump unless someone tells you how to reassemble the pump.

I haven't seen a ton of motors, but I think the extra bolt hole on the block is either for old blocks or HD trucks. Never paid too close attention to that.

 

yea i didnt know that was the pump

i posted another pic of the inside where the shaft goes into. is that dark area inside anything to worry about? it's not grooved or anything.