440 engine question

[oliver]

Does the engine need to come out to replace the rear main seal? The car is a '72 New Yorker.

Thank you.

 

[PolaraBear]

Does the engine need to come out to replace the rear main seal? The car is a '72 New Yorker.

Thank you.

The oil pan must come down and the rear main cap removed. It is a two piece seal and can be replaced if you have enough room to drop the pan.

 

[CBODY67]

ONLY thing about seal leaks, where the seal has rubbed on the shaft, it's probably put a "wear groove" on it, so a new seal put into that same location will work for a while. Some replacement rubber seals reposition the seal a little bit to get it out of the prior location, to "fresh metal" for a good seal. The direction of the knurlings on the inside of the seal are important, too!

To be sure, having the engine on an engine stand would be optimal, rather than still in the car. There are some "tricks" in getting the oil pan off and out of the way with the engine still in the car.

Is it a "seep" or a "drop" situation? .

CBODY67

 

[oliver]

Hard to tell but when I drive the car there's oil cooking on the y pipe

 

[4spd300J]

Have a look at the valve cover gaskets also, they can leak at the back right onto the exhaust pipes.

 

[Ripinator]

Have a look at the valve cover gaskets also, they can leak at the back right onto the exhaust pipes.

Yes. And check the condition of the plastic on the oil pressure sensor at the back of the block too.

 

[detmatt]

Choose you battles, if it’s just seeping a bit from the rear main and it’s not one of the other things mentioned just leave it be.

Maybe it’s time for dual exhaust.​

 

[Samplingman]

Replaced mine twice back in the day, on a 383. Had to lift the motor slightly, then placed wood blocks under the motor mounts so the oil pan could be lowered enough to get to the cap. In the end, it wasn’t worth the effort. Used different materials each time and both seals leaked. It’s the one thing I expect after I rebuild the 440.

 

[detmatt]

My Imp spent an entire year on the back burner after replacing the rms with one of those aftermarket billet housings that I though wouldn’t leak, I was wrong. When I finally decided to get it taken care of because I wasn’t going to do it without a lift, I went back to the oem housing and another new seal and had a mechanic friend install it. It didn’t leak for a few weeks after that and then it started again just as bad as it did in the beginning.

 

[Carmine]

I think the concencous is one of having been here and done that.

 

[oliver]

Maybe it’s time for dual exhaust.​

[/QUOTE]

Thanks. That does sound like the easiest. quickest, and most pleasurable fix......doesn't it?

 

[Big_John]

Have a look at the valve cover gaskets also, they can leak at the back right onto the exhaust pipes.

This^

Yes. And check the condition of the plastic on the oil pressure sensor at the back of the block too.

and this^

 

[oliver]

This^



and this^

I've already checked these items and they appear to be fine. But I'll replace the valve cover gaskets anyway, easy and cheap enough.... and it can't hurt. Thanks

 

[moper]

If it was me, I'd pull the engine. Because I install rope seals and they are a ***** with the crank in the block. The reason I use the rope (like factory) is because the factory cranks are knurled, and the lip seals probably won't seal long term on it.

 

[detmatt]

If it was me, I'd pull the engine. Because I install rope seals and they are a ***** with the crank in the block. The reason I use the rope (like factory) is because the factory cranks are knurled, and the lip seals probably won't seal long term on it.

I couldn’t agree more!

 

[live4theking]

I've already checked these items and they appear to be fine. But I'll replace the valve cover gaskets anyway, easy and cheap enough.... and it can't hurt. Thanks

The sending unit is not all that expensive either if you're not sure that it isn't leaking. Fairly easy to do also.

 

[Jimmyse23]

I couldn’t agree more!

Where do you find the rope seals?

 

[detmatt]

Where do you find the rope seals?

Mancini Rear Main Seal, Rope

 

[moper]

Or any jobber parts store (Car Quest, Napa, etc... Not the retail Autzones or whatever). You have to ask for them.

 

[Jimmyse23]

Well $36.00 ain't cheap but if it seals the best I guess I'm going for it. I certainly don't want to pull the engine again