VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 216 Rear Main Leak

Hello. Purchased a '52 Fleetline last year from an estate. The car was a frame off about 8 years ago. Rebuilt engine runs like a top except the rear main leaks pretty good. I've heard that there's a way to repair/replace a rear main without removing the crank. But I've never met ayone who has done it. Is there a way or am I stuck with pulling the engine and tearing it apart? I realize I could leave the engine in and drop the crank but I think this is a bit risky. Any ideas?

can't drop the crank with the engine in the car, there was a thread awile ago about rear seals on these engines, you clean out the old seal and then pull the new one through. Well almost. You will have toloosen the rear main bearing cap to get a little room to do this and from what I have heard you also need more than a little patience.

When you pull the rear main cap check to see if it has a later neoprene type seal.Modern rebuilders often install these.This could be the cause of the leak.The neo. seal is made for 1955 and up only - the older years had a slightly deeper seal grove and the neo. seal will not make proper contact with the crankshaft.To cure the problem the original rope seal should be installed or a neo. seal slipped in using a thin spacer behind it to push it closer to the shaft.Also todays rope type seals are of very poor quality and seem to wear out quickly.If a rope seal is installed on the top get a seal installer-called
"Chineese Finger"...its a mesh that slips over the end of the seal and contracts as the seal is pulled-gripping the seal tightly.KD is one of the brands that list them.The upper half is difficult to install at best.Also check for a rust build-up on the flange on the crankshaft that the seal contacts.If the rust isn't removed it will tear up a new seal in a hurry.

Here are some tech tips:

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rearseal.htm

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/bobadler-1.htm

Jim