Rear Main Bearing Seal on 1956-324 Motor

[Johnny Olds 98]

Hi,

I need to replace the rear main bearing seal on my 324ci Rocket motor. Is it possible to do that leaving the motor in the car or do I really have to remove the moter with the tranny in order to change the seal.

Cheers,
J

[RocketDude]

No need to pull the engine. On my 51 I just dropped the steering linkage and dropped the oil pan. In may 06, I wrote in detail about replacing the rear main seal with a neopreme seal in that series engine.
I'm not smart enough to tell you how to look it up in the archives. I'm a mechanic, not a computer guy...!! I'm sure someone here can direct you to it...
Good luck

[RocketDude]

http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.ph...895#Post352895
As I said, I suck at computer 101, but I think if you follow this link it will get you there. This post starts off on an unrelated subject, but goes into replacing the rear main seal.
You should get a manual for your car. It will tell you what you need to remove to drop the pan. I removed my steering linkage and exhaust cross over pipe, and the pan comes right off. You may have to raise the engine slightly, but that beats pulling the engine and trans.
Take a look at the post, and ask questions...! Good luck

[Johnny Olds 98]

Thanks a lot!
That was exactly the information I was looking for.

[imported_pete324rock]

I removed the rear crossmember with motor mounts to get the lower trans housing off since the housing and the rear bearing cap are a pretty tight fit and didn't want to be prying or beating to get that cap off-didn't just drop down.Put in new style 2 piece lip seal-once I had it apart and got the old seal out I couldn't imagine trying to get a rope in there and having it seal...ever.Plus I discover rear mount on the torque side was sour.

[Johnny Olds 98]

Noticed that, when the rubber seal had been slipped into the groove of either the cap and over the crankshaft, it is also longer than the groove.

Do I need to cut it flush to the surface on the side without the steel back forging, or shall it be left the length it came?

I am using a Best Gasket rubber type seal, I got from Fusick... asume it should be the correct one...

[RocketDude]

Nooooooooo.... Do not cut the rubber seal..! How much longer are you taslking about? Is the motor in the car, or on the stand..?
It should be perfectly flush is you have it installed correctly. I would double check the part number, and how you have it installed. Did you put in the little shims that go above the seal?
Do some more checking, and we'll talk about it...!