1991 Ford Aerostar Fix or Abandon

[quote:e46d66bbf7="Snurgin"]Transmission problem
1991 Ford Aerostar Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I was half way to central Oregon from Salem, smoke billowing out behind me, when I pulled over I had transmission fluid trail on the ground and the back of the van is covered with fluid, I could not maintain more than 15 MPH and my RPM's where very high. I dont know much about automobiles, would it be worth the cost to get it home (75 Miles) and fix it, I only have about $600 in savings, or just leave it near Sandy Oregon?[/quote:e46d66bbf7]
The problem is most likely as simple as a transmission line leaking. the smoke is the tranny fluid burning off the exhaust, and the high RPMs/low speed is low tranny fluid. The question is how much damage did you do to the tranny when it ran out of fluid. drop 3 qts in it, and see if it goes thru the gears smoothly before you make your decision.