Rear main seal question...

[TDC GT]

I have my '91 TDC on the engine stand right now and I'm trying to decide if I should try to install the rear main seal as I put the crank in or put the crank in and THEN put the seal in as the factory manual recommends with a special tool. Anybody have experience with this situation?? BTW, the "full engine gasket set" that I bought has everything BUT the rear main seal so I don't have it in front of me right now. I'd rather install the seal WITH the crank if that's possible. Thanks for any help with this...

[Juglenaut]

I believe you don't have to have to remove the crank, but that tool makes it an easy replacement, all the tool really does is push on the seal conically so it doesn't ripple, or warp when you put it in.

The one I had from kent-more didn't have a center bolt to seat the seal using the crank.

[TDC GT]

Thanks Juglenaut. But the crank is already out. It's polished and balanced and ready to go. Can the seal be put on the end of the crank and then just laid in as a unit??

[TDC GT]

Well, this is for posterity or for anyone that cares right now...

I was able to slide the rear main seal on the end of the crank and lay the crank down on the main bearings. I put the main caps on and tightened all the main bolts/studs to 37ft/lbs +75degrees as the manual specifies. Seems to have worked perfectly. I'll know for sure when I get it all together and start it whether it leaks or not.

-Rick