4 speed transmission question

[MEXICANKAMIKAZE]

So I was chasing a wire and I ended up having to look under the hood and I notcied that my tranny is cover in black oil although it isn't dripping anywhere what could be the cause?

[MEXICANKAMIKAZE]

It's a 79 c20 by the way

[linemech31]

Any fluid that leaks while you are driving will run backwards.  Trace it to where it starts near the front.  Its likely to be from the engine.

[Irish_Alley]

could also be coming from the back side on the manifold, valve cover or oil pressure hose

[MEXICANKAMIKAZE]

 My truck is parked at a friends house 30 mins away I was thinking of going out there tomorrow I'm gonna take plenty of pics so I can show what's going on

[Irish_Alley]

also take some parts cleaner to clean the stuff off so you can see where is might be coming from. seen some only leak when they are being driven but let her run parked for a while check for leaks, rev it up then check for leaks. then if you stiff havnt found anything take her for a short drive and park her on some cardboard and look for puddles. also dont breath the smoke off the cleaner if you spray it on a hot engine

[MEXICANKAMIKAZE]

Will do I went out to put my hours in he truck today and I noticed smoke coming out from value covers could the oil be turning back into liquid form and sticking with dirt to create a black sludge? I'll take more pics soon but also everything in my engine bay for the most part is covered in this black dirt residue stuff could that be coming from value covers as well?

[Irish_Alley]

is it coming out of the breather holes in the valve covers or is it coming from the base of the valve cover?