I have a small oil leak comming from around the timing chain cover/mech fuel nlock off plate/crankshaft area. I had the mech fuel pump gasket replaced and from what I can se it isn't comming from the timing cover. So I'm thinking it's from the crank seal. How easy is this seal to replace? What's involved and how long should I allow for a job like this?

The leak isn't bad, but the oil is being spread around due to it managing to get onto a pulley down there.

Engine's an 87 305 btw.

Thanks for the help

Robert

You need to pull the harmonic damper, which requires a special puller and a tool to reinstall it. You can buy these tools, they aren't particularly expensive, or rent them. Some parts stores will loan them to you with a deposit.

Other than that, the actual seal replacement is fairly easy.

are u sure u need a tool to reinstall it? i know when I pulled mine i used a triangular type tool to remove it, but i dont recall a tool to put it back on..

just wondering.

You can bang it back on, but that's not good for the main thrust bearing.

The tool screws into the crank, and has a nut/washer that pulls the balancer on nice & easy. If you don't ask for the installer, you're not going to get it with the puller (typically).

Make sure you have a sealed bolt in the front of the block, just to the right of and above the crankshaft snout. This bolt hole is tapped into the block in the passage for the fuel pump push rod. If there is no sealer on the bolt, it can leak. If there is no bolt, it can REALLY leak.