Hi, I need to replace the front crank seal on my 1988 F 250 and would like to do it without pulling the motor. It's a 4X4, 5 speed with a 5.8 no A/C

Sure could use some advice, thank you in advance

 

5.7 is a Chevy motor... you have a 5.8 which is a 351. You don't have to yank the motor.

Take off the fan, shroud, and belt.

Remove the 4 bolts that hold the crank pulley onto the harmonic balancer.

Remove the center bolt from the balancer and slide it off the crankshaft.

Now you'll see the front crank seal and should be able to replace it without doing any more disassembly.

 

Oops, Good reason to proof read

Thanks for the reply, I can get the balancer off, I've never replaced the front crank seal with motor still in the vehicle. I heard there is a tool to install the seal??? I'm not sure how to get the old seal out is my main concern.

I haven't spent a whole lot of time working on cars and trucks, I've always tried my best to avoid em, they're too friggen greasy lol ... I do most all my own work on my boats, I just finished a rebuild on the motor in the pic. Bowtie block big block chebby 4.600 bore, 4" stroke 532CI 825 to 850 HP depending on tune/weather, been messing with these things since the mid 70's I'm comfortable doing my own work, just need some advice and this forum has been a GREAT source in the past. Thanks again

PS The next motor going in my boat is going to be a 572CI FORD! Been dreaming about building a big inch Ford for many years, the times are right with all the after market parts available nowadays that weren't back when I raced these boats

 

I don't remember how far past the seal the crank snout is, but I don't remember it being so far out that you couldn't pry the old seal out and use a deep socket to drive a new one in. If that's the case and you can't make or buy a tool to do it, then I'd just take off the timing cover and do it that way. I did mine with the timing cover removed from the engine because I had to replace the gasket and figured I might as well do the seal since it's literally in my hand.

So:

Remove balancer as above.

Take off left and right accessory brackets. No need to disconnect wiring or lines lines, they have enough reach to let you set the brackets out of the way.

Take off water pump. 4 of the bolts go into the water jacket and will probably fight you during removal. Best bet is a torch and lots of your favorite penetrating oil.

Take off timing cover. There's bolts that go into the bottom of it from the oil pan, don't forget those. Once the cover is off you can R&R the front seal on your workbench.

When you put it back together, put RTV in the corners of the new gasket where the timing cover meets the oil pan to prevent leaks.

The water pump has a gasket between it's housing and the backing plate, I would replace that since it's been relaxed during loosening of the bolts.

Should only take a few hours if the WP bolts don't snap off.

Oh yeah, and nice engine too! Looks good.

 

Currently just finishing my front crank seal, same process as removing the oil pan and pump, jack engine up, small 2x4's under the motor mounts, rip off front half of engine.
Also I used a 2x4 and a hammer to install the seal

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated

 

Oh snap, I just noticed I never posted the results. Thanks to you who replied I was able to complete the repairs. I ended up installing a new timing cover, Cloyes timing set and water pump, all turned out great and truck is running perfect. Amazing how the new timing set smoothed out the idle and acceleration, my son got to learn and is very happy, thanks again guys

I know this is a Ford truck site but thought I'd send a little clip of the boat I posted for you hotrod minded guys, here's a couple of short clips, first is a shy 1/8th mi test pass with fouled plugs that showed 107 mph on the GPS. next clip is testing to see how it launches. I raced the boat three weeks after testing videos, it ran a best of 10.038 @ 116 mph in a full 1/4 mile pass, I need to make a few adjustments after the new motor, it slowed down since last race :-( enjoy



Have a great weekend all ..