I need to replace the rear main seal on my 62 Y-Block. Got the motor out of the truck and the oil pan off, but am a little confused about the best way to get the crank out without messing up the valve timing or potentially scratching one of the journals.



I am thinking I can spin the motor around with the timing chain still in place, removing the caps on the rods when they are reachable, then pull the timing chain/gears and main bearing caps. Is there a better way? Seems like I'll have a lot of piston rods flopping around as I get towards the end.

Aside from the rear main, the motor has good compression and oil pressure, so I don't want to take apart more than I have to.

Thanks--in advance--for any advice.

~Steve

 

If all you are replacing is the rear main seal, removing the crank isn't nessesary. Remove the two bolts holding the seal holder to the block, its right behind the rear main cap. If the seal is the orig, the top half can be a pain to coax out, but it can be done. Clean everthing up, then reinstall, most new seals will be rubber, so get the seal lip the right way.

 

I was sceptical, but you had it just right. My engine had been rebuilt at one time, so the seal I was replacing is also rubber. With a careful hand and a small punch, I was able to drive the old seal out with no issue.



Once I got it started, I could grab it with a small pair of needle nose pliers, and it came right out.

The new seal comes with a plastic "shoehorn" to help avoid shaving the outer edge off as it slides in. I didn't see that at first and screwed up the first set of seals. Will be trying it again--properly--tomorrow.

Thanks for the help!

~Steve