Glen - Here's a diagram from a 1942-47 Chevy Car and truck Shop Manual (1st pic below) that shows there shouldn't be any kind of "bracket" like yours on the underside of the truck 3 speed on the floor transmission.
The spot where the open bolt hole in the bracket lines up to the main case appears to be the same as were the counter gear shaft should reside in the transmission. It looks to be a modification someone did to perhaps keep the counter gear shaft in place??? There isn't any kind of seal indicated in the Master Parts Book diagram at the rear of the case where the counter gear shaft is, so just a WAG on my part but I think the shaft may be worn badly which will allow for oil leakage at that spot.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
