85 2.8 Rear Main Seal

[ford4wd08]

Since I am in the process of fixing the transmission pump front seal, I thought it would be a good idea to replace the crank rear main seal on my 85 BII while I had the trans out.

I have ordered the seal, seams like it will be not to difficult to install. I just want to be sure that I am not missing something.

Is there a special tool or way I need to confirm that I put the new seal in the correct depth?

For pulling the old one, I just planned on using sheet metal screws and prying it out.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Is the old seal leaking? If it's not, I probably wouldn't change it.

 

[Josh B]

They recommend the screws method along with starting the holes with a sharp metal punch. The purpose for this is to keep those screws from putting metal shavings into the mix

 

[ford4wd08]

Is the old seal leaking? If it's not, I probably wouldn't change it.

Its not leaking that I am aware of. Just seems like it would make sense to replace it while I'm in this deep? It is 34 years old.

 

[Josh B]

The book on my 93 says to use a tool that pulls it in using two flywheel bolts. looks like a flat steel plate but I can't see the back side to tell if it's just flat or not

 

[Bird76Mojo]

It's really up to you on replacing it. I've just seen a lot of them leak immediately after replacement. Being that old I suppose it is a good idea to replace..

 

[Josh B]

I got one last time I pulled my transmission, just didn't feel like pulling the flywheel at that time, maybe i was up my skivvies in alligators or something, but I'm thinking it's still here, and when I go back with the rebuilt shortly I'll have it at the ready to consider again. Your concerns are right about whether or not, as were mine, but as has been said, it has lotsa miles, and they sometimes leak after being replaced. And it isn't that far away while you're there.
I'm not sure I won't have to pull my whole motor after getting the tranny set up right, but my ageold motto seems to have become, "I'd rather do it twice, and get it right, than to let them do it once, and get it wrong"

 

[ford4wd08]

Now that we have discussed the merit of changing the seal or not, are there any special tools or anything needed for the 2.8 for the rear main seal?

Is it possible to install it too deep?

 

[ford4wd08]

Anybody done this job on a 2.8? Maybe I'm trying to make it harder than it is.

 

[bbbc3]

Do you have a thread started on the front pump and seal replacement? How difficult is that?

 

[ford4wd08]

I started one about the trans leak.

Hardest part is removing the trans. The seal replacement itself wasn't an issue.

Just thread sheet metal screws into the seal, than pry them out.

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/1985-bii-a4ld-trans-leak.182305/

 

[ford4wd08]

Replaced the seal this weekend. Not a bad job at all.