Removing and installing front and rear oil seals

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

gon2srf

gon2srf

Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Threads
91
Messages
1,060
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Afternoon-

I plan to replace both the front and rear oil seals as well as the oil pan gasket on a used 3fe I recently bought here on MUD. It's on my hoist right now waiting for seals, gaskets, plugs, wires and such. I have read many threads on replacing the oil pan gasket but I cannot find a thing on removing the oil seals on a complete motor. I'm sure it's easy to define what your digging into when the seal is newer but this guy is oily and a bit rusty. Any tips, techniques or anything I need to watch out for removal and installation? I plan on making up a PVC tool I saw here on MUD for installation.

Thanks.
 
Can you pressure wash or steam clean it first?
 
mattafact said:
Can you pressure wash or steam clean it first?
Click to expand...

I am going to used a degreaser for sure but no pressure wash. Way too many open orifaces at the moment. I am pretty sure once I get the new main seal in the mail I'll be able to look at it and figure out how to remove the old one without doing any damage to the case or rod end. I was just hoping someone that has done before could give some tips.

It seems that not many people replace main seals unless they are doing a rebuild.

Then again maybe it's just a dumb question and everyone is being polite by not replying?? :)
 
gon2srf said:
I am going to used a degreaser for sure but no pressure wash. Way too many open orifaces at the moment. I am pretty sure once I get the new main seal in the mail I'll be able to look at it and figure out how to remove the old one without doing any damage to the case or rod end. I was just hoping someone that has done before could give some tips.

It seems that not many people replace main seals unless they are doing a rebuild.

Then again maybe it's just a dumb question and everyone is being polite by not replying?? :)
Click to expand...

Can you reply to your own posts?

Got the main seal out using a tool I used on my sailboat packing flange. It's like a miniature cork screw. Screw in and pull, out popped the seal. Duh!
 
FWIW, this is the tool but I've used screw driver before.Amazon.com: Lisle 56750 Seal Puller: Automotive
31q8HS6e6IL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
gon2srf said:
Ordered it....how embarrassing:eek: ;).
Click to expand...

Just go down to your nearest Sears and pick one up - cheap.

...and you should be embarassed since I'm only a :banana::wrench: and you have mad skills above me :wrench::wrench::wrench: . :flipoff2:
 
put the new rear main seal in the freezer the night before you put it in. I freeze all races and seals before driving them in, it helps. Get yourself a set of brass drifts, they are great tools and can be used to put in all seals, races, etc. I don't like using the seal tools out there, instead I use a brass drift to slowly tap the seal in alternating taps around the surface. Just make sure you are tapping on the outside of the seal on the metal/rubber surface and not the pure rubber or you can rip the seal.
 
1973Guppie said:
put the new rear main seal in the freezer the night before you put it in. I freeze all races and seals before driving them in, it helps. Get yourself a set of brass drifts, they are great tools and can be used to put in all seals, races, etc. I don't like using the seal tools out there, instead I use a brass drift to slowly tap the seal in alternating taps around the surface. Just make sure you are tapping on the outside of the seal on the metal/rubber surface and not the pure rubber or you can rip the seal.
Click to expand...

Ahhhhh! I like that idea... Have some drifts, thanks for the excellent advice.
 
another tip is too use a cut off tool on a grinder to renew the brass drift when they "mushroom". I have found I can't get a good angle on races with a mushroomed drift. A quick thin slice of the drift with a cut wheel renews that 45 degree angle.

Noah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom