I need some help. I just returned from a 400mile trip from Sac to Irvine. I have a pretty bad oil leak coming from the oil pan gasket and the oil has been shooting back towards the rear of the car. After driving for 3-4 hours straight, I pull off the highway to a gas station. While at a stop sign, the car starts revving horrendously and when I tried to shift gears, the clutch starts grinding something fierce. It seemed as if the clutch wasn't able to grab, I could hear the flywheel spinning and the clutch come in to contact but it would grind first before going into gear. Here is what I have:

1. Rebuilt t56 with new mcleod st clutch, about 3,000 miles on the setup.

2. lt4 starter just recently installed--I did not cover up the open gap left from the smaller size of the starter where it connects to that tranny dust cover thing.

I am thinking maybe leaking oil has been shooting up into that open space btwn the lt4 starter and the dust cover. Ok, so I know I need to replace the gasket but don't have the money to do it right now.

Did I damage the clutch or tranny at all with all that grinding? I was able to drive it the next 200 miles while in gear just fine, and with some grinding while shifting in traffic.

Please chime in asap.