1 or 2 Piece Main Seal

[bilbo]

I am in the process of assembling my 2.3 engine and have a question about the main seal. The gasket kit I bought contains a two piece rear main seal. It had a one piece seal when I tore it down. How do I figure out which is correct? The seal leaked like a sieve when it ran hence my question if it's the right one. The truck is a 1983 model.

 

[RonD]

1983 Ford 2.3l Lima engine used the 2 piece design

 

[bilbo]

Just in case this is a non-original engine, is there a way to visually check on the engine to know which it needs? Or will they both fit? If so, is one better than the other? I have both on hand and can install either if they both fit.

There was a decent groove in the crank surface where the seal rode; the machine shop took that out. Is this going to cause problems with either type of seal? I'd guess they had to turn it down a couple thousandths to eliminate the groove.

 

[RonD]

I haven't done 2.3l rear main so can't speak to that specifically.

On the older engines I have worked on that had 2 piece seals you need to machine the groove the seal was in to switch to 1 piece, or it would leak.
You need to put a dab of silicone on end of each seal when assembling the 2 piece

I think the 2.0l/2.3l Limas used 2 piece until 1985/6

There will be casting numbers and block numbers, casting numbers look different not stamped into metal, it will have the year this design was first used/cast, so 1989 vehicle could have a 1980 casting date if block design didn't change.

Stamped in number should have year engine was built/installed, so model year
E= 1980's
F = 1990's
the number after is the year
So E7 would be 1987
E3 = 1983
F2 = 1992

Found on ground down flat section of block usually up by head surface

From memory so grain of salt,

Smooth crank surface shouldn't need different seal

 

[bilbo]

Thanks for the response RonD! I'll look things over this evening when I get home from work.

 

[bilbo]

I found the following on the block: D8EE-6105-BA, which looks to mean 1978. The two piece seal fits very loose and there is no groove for it. I'm thinking it has to be set up for the one piece seal in spite of the year?

 

[RonD]

D8EE-6105-BA was used on 2.3l from 1978 to 1983

So original block most likely

 

[bilbo]

OK, good deal. Does anyone have a photo or something showing where this seal is supposed to go? I don't see how the 2 piece would work here but want to make sure I'm not missing something, especially since the 2 piece is what should be there.

 

[tomw]

From what I remember, there should be 'locating' tabs on both pieces of the two-piece seal. They should extend past the outer radius of the seal, and fit into a recess in the block and main cap. As I remember(old memory) the 'tabs' were offset from being at 12:00 and 6:00 so the split between them was offset from the bearing cap/block junction. There should be a recess the seal fits up into, a groove if you will.
The one piece goes in like any other seal, from what I know, and should be a tight fit into the diameter.
tom