The photo below shows the original Honda part with what looks to be either a bronze or copper washer -- the clutch rod passes through this. In the NOVA transmission version, this washer is not copper/bronze, but hardened steel. Unfortunately, it wore a groove into the clutch rod, thereby causing it to wear down the seal, and the oil leak was the final result. So John's plan is to use this bronze/copper washer from the original Honda transmission part as a guide to make a new one, and replace the hardened steel washer with it. This should solve the problem (hopefully!). We are super-sleuths!
