1985 LG4. Is there any way to change the rear main without removing the crank? I know the rear main cap needs to come off (duh), can the upper half of the seal be pulled out and the new one "rotated" in? Is there something else that can be done? Am I nuts to even ask? I know it'd probably be best to pull the motor, but I really don't want to tear too far into the bottom end for just a seal, but I'm sick of the dripping and the leaking and the hey hey. Glaven.

 

Yes after you pull the main cap you can rotate the old seal out and a new one in. Make sure you offset the seals also when you put them back in. It'll help minimize leaks also.

 

The new rear main seal will include a small plastic guide to prevent you from cutting the new seal on the block when it's installed.

The hardest thing you may have to so is pulling the pan with the engine still in the car. Most of the time, the engine has to be lifted slightly to get the pan out. Still easier than pulling the whole engine.

 

You can drop the pan 1" at least, probably 2", without doing anything but removing the bolts. (no motor raising). If you're slick, you can re&re the seal like that.
oh, drain the oil first too

 

Thanks for the replies--good to hear it can be done a number of ways. When I get around to it I'll probably just pull the motor, since I'd like to put in a mild cam & maybe refresh the heads.