tracking down a leak

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

did you use the double lip main seal? did you ever look at the rear valley gasket like i suggested?(and the nearby dist o-ring like was sugg.) especially if you used a felpro lower intake gasket instead of ford.

just be glad you have a 2wd,pulling the trans is fast with air tools.when you get em back apart take a light and look to see where the highest point of the leak is in the bell.

The Distributor o-ring I've checked and the lower intake gasket, though it doesn’t mean I'm not missing something

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

So I've just taken a fresh look at the rear of the top half and this is a few days after having cleaned the engine....my observation...its bone dry so I'm personally leaning again towards the rear main seal and maybe now the need for a sleeve?

 

[HndMeDnBroncoII]

The Distributor o-ring I've checked and the lower intake gasket, though it doesn’t mean I'm not missing something

did you run a bit of oil around the inside of the seal before you installed it
and what did you use to drive the seal in
it might not be sitting fully in.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

did you run a bit of oil around the inside of the seal before you installed it
and what did you use to drive the seal in
it might not be sitting fully in.

the seal I used was the higher dollar Fel-Pro that the instructions stated should be installed dry with the tool provided.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

Hey Jordan,

Glad you liked the valve covers, haven't had a chance to respond to your PM. Been on vacation all week and have been spending a lot of time out in the garage.

Sometimes the end of the crankshaft can slightly wear "out" over years and needs sleeved. Also, did you get a chance to see if it was coming from the base of the distributor as IMenriched suggested? If it's a rear main leak, usually you'll only see it leaking from the very bottom of the bell. Otherwise, can you find any other traces of it?

Pete

could it have been that when I had the crank polished that now it would require a sleeve to give a tighter fit?

 

[Psychopete]

could it have been that when I had the crank polished that now it would require a sleeve to give a tighter fit?

The shop recommended that I do mine, but I never had a problem with leaking from there, even with a plan-old-fel pro. It would be a last resort. Are you absoultely certain it's from the rear main?

Pete

 

[kodiak024]

the correct answer

instead of pissing and moaning about speed sleeves and felpro, here is the easy answer, go to your local parts store and get a oil dye kit and remember the light for it, pour it in the oil and find where the oil is coming from don't guess and be wrong, if you want to be wrong bring it to a shop, always do it yourself

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

The shop recommended that I do mine, but I never had a problem with leaking from there, even with a plan-old-fel pro. It would be a last resort. Are you absoultely certain it's from the rear main?

Pete

I am 99% sure it's the rear main, the only thing that will bring me to 100% assurance is when I pull the transmission and see it first hand.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

The shop recommended that I do mine, but I never had a problem with leaking from there, even with a plan-old-fel pro. It would be a last resort. Are you absoultely certain it's from the rear main?

Pete

do you know if you can install the sleeve without removing the crank, it looks as though as that is how it's design, I didn't know if you would have any insight.

 

[kevinsranger]

no you dont have to remove the crank to put a sleeve in it, if you can put the seal in with the crank in you can put the sleeve in.

 

[Psychopete]

do you know if you can install the sleeve without removing the crank, it looks as though as that is how it's design, I didn't know if you would have any insight.

Not sure how much force is required to tap it on... The sleeves are VERY thin. I wouldn't feel very comfortable banging it on there too hard. The shop that I had check out my crank had suggested that I do it now while it's out, but I opted not to. I didn't even think I had the rear main even in right, but didn't end up leaking.. That's why I am kind of reluctant to think that's the source since it's been changed twice. It's possible, but do what you can to make sure..

Pete

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

no you dont have to remove the crank to put a sleeve in it, if you can put the seal in with the crank in you can put the sleeve in.

that's what I thought too, but I know the speedi sleeve has a flanged lip so that you can push it in the the tool provided, but I too would like to think it could fit.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

Not sure how much force is required to tap it on... The sleeves are VERY thin. I wouldn't feel very comfortable banging it on there too hard. The shop that I had check out my crank had suggested that I do it now while it's out, but I opted not to. I didn't even think I had the rear main even in right, but didn't end up leaking.. That's why I am kind of reluctant to think that's the source since it's been changed twice. It's possible, but do what you can to make sure..

Pete

I pretty sure the top half isn't leaking, it feels and looks completely dry behind the distributor, having changed the rear main seal twice makes me think even more that it’s leaking, maybe I just can’t get a good seal. I’ve been wrong before though, the real evidence will be seen when we drop the transmission and take a good look.

 

[kevinsranger]

the tool is pretty small too, its basically a little bigger sleeve to tap on to.

 

[rickcdewitt]

jordan, step away from the cpu and get your hands greasy! have you pulled the tranny yet to see where its coming from? you can only do so much wrenching from the keyboard