Ok, this is not the rear main seal....rather the "rear main crankshaft retainer seal) as outlined in my dealer parts catalog.

91 L03 305 engine

Where you would find your rear main seal, above that is a series of 4 bolts that hold the retainer on, between this retainer and the block is a semi-circular seal. This is where my horrid leak is coming from.

I know that I should replace the rear main along with the rear main crankshaft retainer seal...my question is.......

Will the crankshaft remain stationary when I pull off the retainer or will it force itself into a direction i dont want it to go? I need to get this retainer off, so i can replace the seal, but i wont bother if I cant do it alone (working on the car myself...replacing the pilot bearing in about 30 minutes...10am) I dont want to have the crankshaft shift, and when I put it all back together, not be able to drive my car.
thanks

-blain

 

the crank should not go anywhere. Its still gonna have the main caps, connecting rods, timing chain sprocket, and harmonic balancer holding it still. If it does move you have more problems than a retainer seal leak.

Eric

 

thanks boss, you rock

nice response time btw