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My rear main is leaking. I've already replaced it once, but didn't work any better. I am considering taking it to a professional.
I am wondering if I might as well replace the engine. The price to fix the rear main isn't that much less than a re-manufactured engine. What can I do to tell if my current engine is worth keeping. I already did a vacuum test, and It holds a rock steady vacuum within the spec range.
Would the vacuum test, and a compression test basically cover the core engine (head, pistons, valves, etc.)?
There are other indicators if you have owned it for awhile. How much oil does it use? How noisy is it when you start it cold? A good aftermarket oil pressure guage will tell you how much oil pressure it has. More oil pressure means less wear. Living with the engine for awhile, along with the tests you mentioned can determine what shape the engine is in.
If the compression is good, oil consumption is low, hot oil pressure is good and there is not a groove on the crankshaft where the oil seal lip rides then I'd replace the seal again making sure everything is installed properly.