Front main seal?
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Freshman User
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Front main seal?
It would appear that I have a leak at the front of my 351m engine. My guess is that it's the seal that surrounds the crank behind the pulley, although the fan/shaft tends to throw the oil all over the passenger side front wheel. Is that considered the front main seal? How much of a pain is that to change? Is there anything else I should change while I'm in there?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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The seal you describe is usually referred to as the front seal or front crankshaft seal, located in the timing chain cover behind the harmonic ballancer. It's sort of a pain for me to replace as I get older but it's not that hard of a job. I havent worked on a 351m for years but if I remember correctly, it seems every rotating assembly bolts to that timing chain cover
By that I mean AC\power steering\alternator backets, etc. Remove them and use a puller to remove the ballancer. Unbolt the timing chain cover and replace the seal.
Look at the shaft surface on your ballancer where the seal rides. If the ballancer is deeply grooved, they usually make a repair kit (sleeve kit) for it or you can replace it with a new ballancer. I'd highly recommend coughing up approximatly $40.00 and replace the timing chain and gear set since your down that far. Then mayby think about replacing the water and fuel pump, worn belts and hoses, a little paint...., I mean you have allready removed most of the old parts, and several other parts are now easily accessed, how many miles\wear are on them?
By that I mean AC\power steering\alternator backets, etc. Remove them and use a puller to remove the ballancer. Unbolt the timing chain cover and replace the seal. Look at the shaft surface on your ballancer where the seal rides. If the ballancer is deeply grooved, they usually make a repair kit (sleeve kit) for it or you can replace it with a new ballancer. I'd highly recommend coughing up approximatly $40.00 and replace the timing chain and gear set since your down that far. Then mayby think about replacing the water and fuel pump, worn belts and hoses, a little paint...., I mean you have allready removed most of the old parts, and several other parts are now easily accessed, how many miles\wear are on them?
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From: Southern NM
If you determine that it is the front crank seal,here is what you need to do.Remove the drive belts from the crank pulley,unbolt the pulley from the balancer(4 3/8" bolts),pull the dampener,pry or pull the seal from the bore of the timing cover.As Riderman says,take a close look at the seal surface on the dampener.You can buy a wear sleeve repair kit to coorect the seal face area.Clean the seal bore in the timing cover well.Drive or push the new seal into the bore.Be very careful of the seal lip when installing in the bore.Let us know how you came out on the repair!!!
Elder User
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[QUOTE=maskedman;8662236]If you determine that it is the front crank seal,here is what you need to do.Remove the drive belts from the crank pulley,unbolt the pulley from the balancer(4 3/8" bolts),pull the dampener,pry or pull the seal from the bore of the timing cover.
That's a heck of a lot easier\less work than what I suggested. For some reason I cant explain, I've never done it that way.
That's a heck of a lot easier\less work than what I suggested. For some reason I cant explain, I've never done it that way.
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I read in the Haynes manual that the 351m seal was different from other 335 series engines -- maybe that's why you've never done it that way, Riderman. So, Maskedman, it sounds like I don't really have to remove the timing chain cover? The engine has about 150K on it. Would this be a good time to replace the timing chain and camshaft to get the 4-6 degrees of retardation out of the engine, or is that quite a bit more work?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
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As with all things, it is much, much more fun to do these kinds of projects on a BIG BLOCK than oh, say a 302. I have been putting off the same job that you're talking about since my big tear down. I think we were a little hung over putting it back together, and I have the same leak. Probably after my graduation in May, I'll get around to it.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Senior User
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From: Southern NM
If you are going to be that far into it,Iwould say yes change out the timing chain and the gear work.Have a look at the other components that you will remove as well.FelPro sells a timing gasket set complete with mntg. gaskets and a new front seal.Get a good aftermarket timing chain and gear set.The gear set will let you set the timing of the cam/crank to 0deg.The stock set retards the timing by 4deg.Let us know how you make out on the repair.
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Okay -- I think that's what I'll do. A friend of mine is a dumptruck mechanic who is jealous of my truck, so I'll save up some money, buy the cam/timing chain/seal kit and bribe him into helping me with the job. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in the cam/timing chain as far as specs? Is FelPro the best place to get the kit?
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Senior User
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From: Southern NM
You can get that Felpro set most anywhere.RockAuto and Amazon both list them.The p/n is TCS45283.The new timing set will have a three position crank drive gear.You want to use the middle or 0 degree keyway on the gear.
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