Rear Main Seal

[bigfatloser]

89 2.9, 500 miles on complete rebuild and the rear main is leaking. Crank was turned. Did not notice any flaws on the sealing surface at time of installation.

Any special, wiz-Bang replacement seal available? Thinking of installing a sleeve-n-seal kit just because. Tips or tricks? Not wanting to pull the trans again any time soon.

 

[adsm08]

You can probably find a sleeve-n-seal kit, try Fel-pro, def use Google.

When installing the new rear main seal pack that sucker up good with Vaseline, in the spring, around the inner and outer edges, and then turn it as you start it on the crank to keep it from rolling.

 

[RonD]

Yes, if installed dry the seals can stick to the crank, then when first started they tear a bit and start leaking pretty fast.

 

[bigfatloser]

It was carefully installed slatherd in oil, actually dipped in it. Did the same with the front. Primed, and pressurized oil system via distributor shaft while turning over motor by hand too, to check for leaks prior to install. Guess it's just one of those things...

 

[adsm08]

It's possible to pop the spring off too. If that happens it won't hold tight and seal. That's why the spring gets packed too. That leak you wouldn't notice until the engine is running.