2.3L ('83-'97) 1997 2.3 Front Crankshaft Seal

[The Texas Ranger]

Hey friends!

I got my 1997 2.3 apart for a timing belt job. I ordered a FEL-PRO front crank seal to install since I'll be down there anyway.

Should I drain the motor oil before I remove this circled cover? I've only seen one video but it was with a stripped block without fluid.

Is reassembly as simple as pressing in the new seal into the cover and fastening it back on?

Thanks!

EDIT: The picture is from another post I found here.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The oil level is several inches below that seal so you're fine removing the front housing by itself.

 

[The Texas Ranger]

Well my suspicions were right, here's what my crank seal looks like.

I'm looking for some guidance from here.

It looks like I'll also need to remove the inner timing cover with the diamond marks on it along with the oil pump sprocket?

Is this front seal cover also fastened by bolts from the oil pan?

 

[The Texas Ranger]

The answer to my question is yes. The inner shell along with the oil pump sprocket need to come off.

I'm prying the front of this cover and it is separating from the block but something is stopping it from coming off. I don't want to pry too hard. Am missing something?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Sorry I haven't responded, been busy...

You have everything undone from the looks of it (I'm assuming the two bolts through the oil pan are out), there's probably just some silicone that's stuck in the corners. The oil pan gasket is in the oil pan so it should be good there. The front seal is likely not very pliable so isn't giving way. I'd just keep working around, more at the sides than the middle and probably more on the oil pan side but once you get it loose it'll need to come straight out.

 

[scotts90ranger]

On a second look it might not be a bad idea to reseal the oil pump while you're there, it's the part with the green seal, apparently the O rings in those like to get hard and either not build pressure or leak...

 

[The Texas Ranger]

Sorry I haven't responded, been busy...

You have everything undone from the looks of it (I'm assuming the two bolts through the oil pan are out), there's probably just some silicone that's stuck in the corners. The oil pan gasket is in the oil pan so it should be good there. The front seal is likely not very pliable so isn't giving way. I'd just keep working around, more at the sides than the middle and probably more on the oil pan side but once you get it loose it'll need to come straight out.

I have everything removed except for any oil pan bolts. I'll have to play with it later. From the looks of it, it didn't look like the oil pan bolts were near this cover. Thanks friend!

 

[scotts90ranger]

I could have sworn there were a couple bolts, whatever

With that picture you can see exactly what's holding it there, that glob of silicone in the corner, there's probably another in the other corner...

 

[The Texas Ranger]

I do believe you're right about the bolts. It seems to me there are a few different variations of this cover after flipping through some on eBay. Some have bottom holes, some do not.

On my engine, I don't believe those bolts are holding this cover.

 

[scotts90ranger]

In that picture, there are no bolts going into the cover

 

[The Texas Ranger]

The cover is out! It just needed bit more persuasion. No bottom bolts for my cover.