Replace front main seal without pulling lower timing cover?

[verSat1l3]

I've got about 3k on my newly rebuilt KA. I must've messed up when installing the main seal into the timing cover where it goes around the crank. As such, I've got a slow oil leak there, about 1 qt/1k miles. Problem is, it's getting flung around everywhere by the crank, and well, my new motor is #$#@#@#$ leaking!

Is it possible to replace this seal without stripping down the front of the motor? I really don't want to go through that PITA again.

[gumby74]

Yes it is possible.Remove the accessory belts and the crankshaft pulley. You can either use the correct tool, a seal puller, or you can use a small flat head screwdriver to fish it out.Wipe everything down well and make sure to seat the new seal as flush as possible. I have a piece of PVC pipe that is the right size to slide around the crank and gently tap the seal fully into place. Replace everything you removed after washing out the front cover with some Simple Green or Purple Power.

[verSat1l3]

Awesome. Any idea what diameter that piece of pipe is? The seal should be flush with the lip of the cover when fully seated right? Use some white assembly grease?

I think I used a felpro last time, not sure why it didn't seal. This sounds like a much more afternoon friendly job than doing the same strip down process as you would for a timing chain. I've done it a few times and I really don't want to go through it anytime soon.

Makes me want to keep the car and finish the KAT.

[gumby74]

Realistically, I knocked it out in about an hour.The pipe is 1 1/2" I think..There is a lip inside the front cover. The seal is fully seated when it is on that lip. It will be about 1/8" inside the front cover. Lastly I used a small bit of grease to very lightly lube the outer edge for install.

[verSat1l3]

Argh, thats where I screwed up. My seal isn't set all the way in against the lip but is flush with the outer edge of the cover. Oh well, this was the first time I've built a motor. Everything else is good though!

Thanks for the input.