New to this site and needing advice from Ford enthusiasts, I have a 1978 E-150 that I have enjoyed for a decade. This van was a Turtle Top conversion from the get go and could be easily restored. The frame and body are in good shape, but the 351 Windsor developed a severe oil leak (rear main seal???) and I haven't driven it in months. I start it up weekly and move it around my property, but need to decide whether to fix it or sell it. How hard is it to get to that seal? Do I have to raise the engine off the mounts to get the oil pan down?

 

I'd fix it up if it were me. The rear main isn't all that tough to replace. I'm not too sure about the oil pan on the vans, but you may be able to jack the van up from the frame and let the suspension hang. That may give you enough room to remove the pan. If not, you may have to raise the engine.

Once the pan is out, remove the rear bearing cap and loosen all the other caps. That'll give you a little play in the crank to get the top half of the old seal out and the new one in. There's usually a steel wire in the seal which gives you a nice solid surface to tap on to rotate it out. Try it on the half that's in the bearing cap first to get an idea of what you'll have to do when you're laying on your back under the truck.

My seal came with very good instructions, and I had no problems changing it.

Good luck.

Kevin K.