I am about to do mine this weekend, Is there anything special i need to do or just pull the old one off and just put the new on?
It is leaking after the rebuild 3 months ago. Just making sure this time it gets done right.
Thanks, Gary

 

Just pull the old one out and pop the new one in. DO NOT use a hammer directly on it and try to tap it in around the edges; use a piece of wood, like a piece of 2x6 or something, laid flat against it with it well suported so it can't move, and whap it in with one massive blow.

Before you take it apart, make sure it's the seal that's leaking, and not the oil pan or the gasket where the seal thing bolts to the block or somewhere else. Make sure you put some oil or grease on the seal before you put it back in.

 

A one-piece rear main leaking after three months? If you determine that it IS the seal, you might want to check radial play in the crankshaft at the rear main itself. It wouldn'thurt to check thrust, too, but that shouldn't be as large a factor in causing a leak if the crank was prepped correctly.

 

How would i go about checking the play? Can it be done with the engine together. I had the crank done by a machine shop. Also though I put the seal in and it was my first time i just put it on there and tightened the bolts. It seems to leak worse over time as well.
Thanks, Gary

 

You would need to mount a dial indicator and probe the crank flange while tring to move the crank up and down. Anything more than 0.002" could be affecting your seal.

Chances are, you just have a faulty seal installation or defective seal, but it's easy to check while you're in that close.

 

Make sure the taper is facing the right way.

You want the large end of the tapered lip FACING the engine. If you happened to put it in bass ackwards earlier, then that's another possible cause of the leak.

The seal is supposed to be installed so that crank case pressure forces it against the journal. If it's in backwards, then the pressure will force oil past it.

Check to see which way it's installed while/before you pull it out, if for no other reason than future knowledge.

 

From a professional stand point I'd probley put die in it and do a black light test for a proper diagnosis. but if it was my own car I could put a rear main in it on my lunch hour ( 5 speed car ) If I thought that's what it was I'd probley just pop one in it and re check forgoing any adional aditives to my motor. The taper thing is correct and can sometimes look backwards. besure it's right ..

Coat with vasoline before install to make it slide into both the housing and the end of the crank easier