How do I? Oil seal

[Smulli440]

Think the rear oil seal on my inline 6 CJ5 1973 is leaking. Can the seal be swapped out with engine in frame? Have done other rear seals on a 460 and a 302 by removing oil pan and rear main journalists and feeding seal around crank. Anyone done this on a inline 6.

 

[jzak]

You sure it's not a leaking valve cover gasket or breather? A loose breather, can cause serious leaks. I was leaving a puddle of oil everywhere I went, until I replaced mine. Better to start with something easy, then replace a rear main seal, and find out it wasn't the problem.

 

[Smulli440]

I put a new gasket on rocker cover as old one was leaking oil onto bell housing. Im going to local workshop to get it on a lift and have a good look.

 

[TSB8C]

Yes, the rear main seal can be replaced without removing the engine or the crank shaft. The seal is a 2-piece. Don't use anything metal to push and prod the upper half into place. Use plastic or wooden tools to avoid scratching surfaces.

Check out this video

 

[Belizean]

My buddy and I did it on Jeep 4.0L. Do like TSB8C said and also check for correct location like jzak said.

 

[KRUPP]

I did the rear main seal in my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l this winter. Worst part was scraping/cleaning the old oil pan gasket off. Nasty razor blade work with crud falling in your face for a couple hours.

While you’re down there and it’s apart, good time to replace the oil pump too and give the oil pan a good scrubbing inside and out.
Try to use the blue Felpro gasket on the pan.
Like TSB8C stated, careful fishing that upper half of the seal into the groove. There are sharp edges around the groove holes where the bearing cap seats on the machined surface of the block. These edges can cut up the seal when you’re fishing it in. A little lube with oil helps.

 

[Smulli440]

You sure it's not a leaking valve cover gasket or breather? A loose breather, can cause serious leaks. I was leaving a puddle of oil everywhere I went, until I replaced mine. Better to start with something easy, then replace a rear main seal, and find out it wasn't the problem.

Took your advise and went back to the valve cover gasket. Took it off cleaned everything and used blue hylomar gasket seal with gasket and it seems to have done the trick.

 

[CJ]

Congratulations! .

 

[jzak]

Took your advise and went back to the valve cover gasket. Took it off cleaned everything and used blue hylomar gasket seal with gasket and it seems to have done the trick.

Awesome news! Glad I could help. Nothing worse than giving blood sweat and tears replacing a part, only to find out it still leaks oil.

 

[RustyRed81]

Think the rear oil seal on my inline 6 cj5 1973 is leaking. Can the seal be swapped out with engine in frame? Have done other rear seals on a 460 and a 302 by removing oil pan and rear main journalists and feeding seal around crank. Anyone done this on a inline 6.

I just replaced the rear main seal on my '81 with inline six. Biggest pain was the one bolt on passenger side behind the motor mount. Had to jack up engine etc to get to it and remove the pan. Clean, scrape, push out old seal and curse putting pan back up. Same way you did it, journal removed and seal pushed out. I debated on replacing that last bearing but wasn't scored. I do confess to owning a lift but it was still a pain. Now on to other leaks like T Case front seal and rear diff seal. Gotta love spots on the floor

 

[jzak]

I just replaced the rear main seal on my '81 with inline six. Biggest pain was the one bolt on passenger side behind the motor mount. Had to jack up engine etc to get to it and remove the pan. Clean, scrape, push out old seal and curse putting pan back up. Same way you did it, journal removed and seal pushed out. I debated on replacing that last bearing but wasn't scored. I do confess to owning a lift but it was still a pain. Now on to other leaks like T Case front seal and rear diff seal. Gotta love spots on the floor

There's always that one bolt!

 

[RustyRed81]

I didn't post that this one has the T-14 three speed. With trashed 2-3 cluster gear in bottom of case. I debated upgrading but recalled my time in VN driving a true army jeep with 3 speed. Took a while to round up parts and rebuild the tranny. Fortunately the PO had replaced clutch and P plate which looked good. Wife says I should just watch TV all day and save money. Hah

 

[RustyRed81]

I didn't post that this one has the T14 three speed. With trashed 2-3 cluster gear in bottom of case. I debated upgrading but recalled my time in VN driving a true army jeep with 3 speed. Took a while to round up parts and rebuild the tranny. Fortunately the PO had replaced clutch and P plate which looked good. Wife says I should just watch TV all day and save money. Hah

Yesterday I received the replacement AMC20 rear diff cover and gaskets etc. Cleaned, scraped a lot and installed with all new hardware. Went to front to remove the fill plug which I had just looked at before. Torqs type bit rounded out, fused to housing. Soaked it with penetrating oil for a few hours then tried again. Grrrr. Put some heat on it and still no love. Going to soak it and let it sit for a while. Same thing I had to do with top bolt on diff cover. (Patience David Patience)

 

[Belizean]

Actually OME takes a 3/8 allen wrench. Still rounded out.