1983 C-10 Help please

Hello everyone. I recently bought a 83' c-10 with a built 305 and a th350 trans. question one is there is an oil leak that is getting the starter pretty wet, what could possibly be the source of this leak? Next question is about the trans. When im barely on the gas(like goin through the neighborhood)it shifts firm like im used to, but when im on the gas(not really flooring it just goin normal)it does more of a drop then go, kind of hard to explain but instead of feeling the jerk back, its more like pushing in the clutch on a manual then giving it gas, what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance,
Ray  

The oil leak is probably a valve cover dripping oil down the side of the engine, intake manifold leaking in the rear cross section, or the dipstick tube not sealing (if on passenger side). The trans sounds like a band or frictions are slipping under a load. Does it act worse at full throttle? Does the trans fluid smell burnt?  

Not really worse, pretty much the same. And no, the fluid smells fine. I know it's not the valve cover, ill take a look at the back of it today to see if its the intake. the oil dipstick is loose and its not mounted anywhere(i can pull i out of the block easily)

Thanks  

#1   check the trans fluid level with the engine running..  pull the stick... wipe it.. check it again..  

that sounds like the transmission is SLIPPING...  time to get it looked at..

are you sure it is a TH350..   not a rectangular pan 700R4...

do a transmission service.. fluid, filter , pan gasket,  check the adjustment of the kick down cable.. or if it is a TH700r4 check the adjustment of the throttle valve cable..

which carb are you running...  if you have a 700r4... and you don't have the factory qjet.. you may need a throttle lever extension for the throttle valve cable to hook up to.. or the pull ratio will be off and the transmission will be damaged... .

i agree about the oil leak..   people put valve cover gaskets on.. and forget or don't know how to hammer the valve cover rail flat.. so the gasket gets an even force when the hold down bolts are tightened..     small hammer.. with an extension or piece of pipe to back it up..  superweather strip adhesive to hold the gasket to the valve cover.. then if cork gaskets are used.. let set for 15  minutes with bolts in backwards to align gasket..    thin layer of silicone on head side of valve cover gasket..  ir rubber gaskets are used...  no silicone between the gasket and the head..  they will slip out.. guarenttted  

OK guys, heres whats going on now.
1. i was wrong, it is a 700r4, and it is a qjet carb but its sitting on a hi-rise edlebrock intake, the TV cable is mounted at the bottom of the intake and being pulled upwards, Bad?
2. The oil leak i was talking about before i do believe was the valve cover gasket, just put new ones on so we'll see.
3. while changing the valve cover gaskets, i noticed a puddle of oil on the engine crossmember. when i bought the truck this was here but didnt see a leak so thoght nothing of it, wiped it off, now its back. there is oil drips on my fuel pump and on the steering components. i have no clue where this puddle is coming from, any ideas?

Thanks  

When adjusting the tv cable the best place to start is all the way up. With the engine off hold the carb at wide open position then take all the slack out of the cable this is as much as it can get. then if the trans takes too long to shift back it down ONE!! click at a time. The best cheap thing to do to a stock 700r4 is install a corvette servo usually about $60 or so this really beefs up the lazy shifting. I thought my 700r was about to go out, then I had the servo replaced never had trouble since. The oil leak could be the front of the intake, timing cover gasket or the front seal. Have you checked to make sure it is not powersteering fluid, or trans fluid from the cooler lines?  

ok, i'm in the procces of adjusting the tv cable, the oil leak is still just as bad. there is some at the bottom of timing chain cover, can this spot leak alot? when just sitting ideling it doesn't drip, i can just see some oil in the crack. really need to take care of this leak!!

thanks  

Is the pcv valve good and hooked to the carb? this can cause excess gases to build up in the engine and cause oil leaks. chevy engines are very! prone to leaks but there are good revised gaskets to help with the leaks they do cost more but are very worth it. This spot can leak if the spot where the seal contacs the balancer is worn out, most stores sell a seal and repair sleeve or just install a new balancer if yours is worn.