Possible rear main seal

So this morning I was hauling this to the dump:



when I noticed smoke at a red light. I immediately pulled over and saw this under the truck.



It appears to be coming from around the starter and leaking onto the exhaust, causing quite a bit of smoke. Haven't been able to remove the starter and see above it yet, but one shop I took it to got a quick look and said more than likely it's a rear main seal. It's a 1999 Ford F250 with the 5.4L V8, if that helps any. Just wanted to get your opinions, and to see how difficult this would be to fix myself and if I can still drive to work. Any help is appreciated.

 

What color is that fluid? It looks red in the pics which would mean it's tranny fluid, which could be blown pump seal, torque converter.

 

I thought it looked reddish, too. But the guy at the shop said otherwise. Of course, he just gave it a quick look from below. How would I check those things you mentioned?

 

It shifts fine, and it doesn't make any noise. Is it okay to drive?

 

Take a piece of white paper and rub it across the dripping area an see what color it is for sure

 

Well, it's oil. Now to see where it's coming from.

 

Does your truck have the little rubber plug in the bottom of the bell housing? If so, pop it out and take a look. If it's real oily in there it's likely the rear main.

I know mine is leaking in a similar manner to where it is dripping on to the manifold, but mine seems to be a head gasket leak.

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Got the starter off. Looks like the leak is coming from this hole.

 

Color me dumb, but I don't know what the bell housing is.

 

Between the motor and tranny. Being a 250 rather than a 150, it's possible yours is a bit different than mine but here's a pic of mine. Pulling that plug will give you a similar view to what you saw by pulling the starter, except 100x easier to do.

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