My speedometer doesn't work and I'm leaking a fair amount of ATF. I Noticed there's some coming from around the pan gasket and saw a drop forming at the speedo cable connection. I tried tightening the connection better to stop the leaking but that did not work.

I disconnected the speedo cable and took some pictures. I noticed there is no gasket of any kind at the connection (See pics). Assuming this is the main cause for ATF leakage, but not sure if there is supposed to be any type of gasket.

After watching some YouTube videos I also noticed the speedo housing is not positioned correctly with the braket (see pic).

Do I need a new cable?
Can I use teflon tape to stop the leaking?
Could the housing misalignment be the cause of no speedometer?

 

No gasket required on the cable. Loosen the bolt on the retainer and rotate the housing counter clockwise so that the fingers of the retainer fit into the little step slots of the housing. The housing should have an 'O' ring around it's perimeter for sealing. Spin the cable with your fingers and see if the speedo moves. If not, then maybe the cable is broken . To remove cable, disconnect at speedo head and pull cable out. Lube new cable with white lithium grease for lower 1/3 of cable.

 

There are 2 different speedometer gear assemblies (the round piece) that go in the trans for different size gears. Where the gear passes through is offset a bit. It only goes in one way and seats right with the clamp, and gives perfect mesh of the gears...but you can turn it and still clamp it, but it won't seal right and will leak (like yours). People + hack shops turn them (like yours) to move the speedo gear closer or farther from the inner speedo gear, rather than buy a new assembly, cuz' they are like $50. new. That may have been done on your car, that's why the speedo doesn't work and the assembly leaks. The assemblies are stamped with gear tooth numbers 40 41 42 43 44 or 36 37 38 30. The gear is stamped also and the green color tells the tooth count of the gear. See if it falls in the range on the assembly. Could just be the cable, but I'm guessing it's not. Short answer is the way that assembly is in could definitely be the prob for the leak and no speedo prob.

 

There are TWO o-rings in the speedo gear adapter in the trans. One is on the O.D. and seals the adapter to the case. The other is on the I.D. and seals the driven gear to the adapter. You need to replace both to cure a leak. In addition, the plastic driven gear may be worn where the I.D. o-ring is located. If so, the gear needs to be replaced.

 

Thanks for the knowledge guys, I'll let you know what I find.