Going to be replacing trans within the next 3 weeks and want to replace the rear main at the same time. How difficult is it?? Is it a one piece seal??

 

If it's a '91 engine, then yes, it a one-piece seal.

 

you also have to drop the oil pan at the back...

 

if the trans is already out i'd rate it as "pretty easy" to " real damn easy"

 

Not sure why you'd need to do that on a 1pc. rear main seal. Would it be a good idea to do a pan gasket at the same time which would necessitate dropping the pan? Yes. But I'm 99% sure the RMS is just a pry out & tap new one in procedure.

 

I'm pretty sure it's a one piece. Does anyone coat the outter edge with anything?? One guy told me he puts red thread lock on the outter edge to prevent the seal from spinning.

 

i use the black permatex in the can with the brush in the cap on the outter edge of any seal of this sort.

 

i shouldnt of said "have to"....but dropping rear lip of the oil pan makes it 10 times easier becasue you dont have to worry about the seal that goes around the crank folding under...and you can replace the oil pan gasket at the same time

 

If you were just doing a rear seal replacement approximately how many hours of work would it be?

 

The rear main seal in your motor is a metal-clad lip seal; looks alot like the front seal, or a front wheel bearing seal, except bigger.

No need to drop the pan. It's right there at the surface. Pop it out, pop a new one in, done. Very easy. Not like the old 2-piece ones. That's why the factory changed; not because the new kind seals better (as the Internet myth would have it), but because it's so much easier and faster to install. Lowers the cost of building a vehicle NOTICEABLY at the factory level. And let's face it, the customer (car buyer) doesn't give a rat's privates how many pieces the rear seal comes in, or how little it costs the factory to put it in, as long as the oil doesn't fall out.