Leaking rear seal-engine removal?

[Henry]

Hi: I have a 91 5.0 LX with the 5-speed manual transmission...all OEM. The clutch chatters during engagement...all my clutch parts seem to be working correctly and adjusted per specs...so I have concluded that the rear seal is leaking which is causing the chatter. I do see a oil drip and wetness at the clutch cover. My question is: can I remove the transmission and clutch and replace the engine rear seal without removing the engine from the car?
Regards,
Henry

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

No you don't need to remove the engine to replace the Rear Main Seal.

 

[Henry]

Hi:
Thanks for the info...do you know if there is a special tool that would be required to get the seal out/install in this situation?
Regards,
Henry

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

Rear Main Seal RR



To replace the seal only, proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable from battery, then remove the starter motor.
2. Disconnect the transmission from the engine and slide it back.
3. On a manual shift transmission, remove the pressure plate and cover assembly and the clutch disc.
4. Remove flywheel attaching bolts and remove the flywheel and engine rear cover plate.

CAUTION: Avoid scratching or damaging the oil seal surface.
5. Use an awl to punch one hole into the seal metal surface between the seal lip and block. Screw the threaded end of a screw into the hole, and remove the seal gripping the screw head with pliers and pulling outward.
6. Clean the oil seal recess in the cylinder block and main bearing cap

Installation:

1. Clean, inspect, and polish the rear oil seal rubbing surface on the crankshaft.
2. Coat new oil seal and crankshaft with a light film of engine oil.

CAUTION: Do not apply grease on seal for lubrication.
3. Start the seal into the recess with the seal lip facing FORWARD and install it with a rear oil seal.
4. Install the engine rear cover plate. Position the flywheel on the crankshaft flange. Coat the threads of the flywheel attaching bolts with Pipe Sealant with TEFLON(R) or equivalent, and install the bolts. Tighten the bolts in sequence across from each other to 102-115 Nm (75-85 ft-lbs).
5. On a manual shift transmission, install the clutch disc and the pressure plate assembly.
6. Install the transmission. On an automatic transmission, do not adjust the transmission linkage.

I can tell you from personal experience, be sure the new seal is installed absolutely square with the block and crankshaft. if it isn't, it will leak.

 

[Henry]

Hi Almost Stock:
Thanks for the step-by-step info. I think I dont need to buy anything to handle this job. You know, I may have forgot to put sealant on the flywheel attaching bolts when I rebuilt this engine a while back.
Regards,
Henry

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

Hi Almost Stock:
Thanks for the step-by-step info. I think I dont need to buy anything to handle this job. You know, I may have forgot to put sealant on the flywheel attaching bolts when I rebuilt this engine a while back.
Regards,
Henry

That's a good possibility where a leak might start.