Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

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BJRVentport2
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Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by BJRVentport2 »

My 56 T-Bird 's rear main leaks like the Exon Valdese. I would like to replace it with the engine in the car. What is required to remove the oil pan with the engine in the car. Do I have to raise the engine to get the oil pan off, or will it come off as is?
1957Birdman
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by 1957Birdman »

Look on YouTube. here is the link.
Ford Y-Block rear main seal replacement (in the car) with bonus instruction replacing the oil pan gasket
(277) Rear main seal replacement 312 57 Thunderbird, engine - YouTube

The work seems fairly straightforward, the problem if you don't have a lift. Doing it under the car on jack stands is not my idea of fun at this point in my life.
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White
BJRVentport2
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by BJRVentport2 »

Your link did not show up.
MarkR
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by MarkR »

Search y block rear main seal repair. Mummerts YouTube video as well as tons of other links will come up. This is one subject that’s been discussed inside and out.
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Rusty57
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by Rusty57 »

Do some more research on the success rate of this repair based on these 2 variables.

-Which type seal should you use - "rope" or neoprene?

-What is the condition of the bearing surface now that the old seal has run on it for a while? Is it realistic to expect a new seal to work if the bearing surface is not perfect?

Our '57 leaks but I am in no rush to try a seal replacement with the engine in the car. And I do have a lift.

I am not losing a quart in 1000 miles. It looks like lot on the floor but looks are deceiving. Oil is pretty cheap compared to the level of effort to replace that seal with only a limited chance of success.

Based on my research I give myself about a 50% chance of success for about 2 days of work at my pace and between $100 and $200 in parts..
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ward 57
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by ward 57 »

That is if you can do it yourself with the equipment you have. Yah, mine leaks also but not enough to try to fix with the expense to have somebody ( I'm not capable myself ) to do it and only a 50/50 chance of it working. . I've got a drip pan in the garage.
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Jimntempe
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by Jimntempe »

BJRVentport2 wrote: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:42 pm My 56 T-Bird 's rear main leaks like the Exon Valdese. I would like to replace it with the engine in the car. What is required to remove the oil pan with the engine in the car. Do I have to raise the engine to get the oil pan off, or will it come off as is?
https://youtu.be/8tkbKjRsQPw?si=ldmopg0iItYw2f4X
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Rusty57
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by Rusty57 »

Boy do they make it look easy! That video sure makes it tempting.

My investigation has also uncovered 2 other "gotcha's" with this job.

The video actually shows one of them. There are many cases where the leak is actually due to improper installation of the side seals on the aluminum lower seal retainer.

The other is to make sure you get the pan gasket re-installed and sealed correctly. This includes the seal on feed tube to the oil pump.
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IRONBEAST
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by IRONBEAST »

I am interested to know if anyone has one that doesn't leak? What is the success rate of a new seal?
Mine was installed new during complete engine build and it leaks a little from new.
I've been wondering if I should try to fix it or is that just the way it is???

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1957Birdman
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by 1957Birdman »

I have a friend who has a 57 and replaced his rear main seal when he pulled his engine to replace the flex plate. This is probably 10 years ago and he has not seen any leakage since he made the repair. I’m sure he has put at least 5K miles on his car since the repair. I should mention that he had to pull the engine to do the repair on the flex plate, which made the rear main seal installation easier. If your car is only leaving a small puddle I wouldn’t worry about it.
Lew Bachman
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MarkR
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by MarkR »

There are two great articles on this very subject that Gil has posted at Gils Garage. One is written by Gil and the other by Ted Eaton.
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Jimntempe
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by Jimntempe »

I have been talking to someone who has done a couple using the version of the seal that Prestige sells. He said so far they have not leaked. I plan to have him do mine when he has time.
Edsell57
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by Edsell57 »

I just replaced my rear main seal in my 57 Thunderbird 312 engine, while in the car.I purchased the new updated seal,to replace the rope seal.It wasn't a bad job, everything went smoothly,had no leak for two weeks, but now leaking again.So not sure about the update seal kit.thinking about going back to the rope seal.
ward 57
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by ward 57 »

It's just the nature of the beast. I have heard very few stories of someone who has eliminated any rear main seal leak. I just depend on a drip pan under it in my garage and very rarely need to add oil. On the good side, my undercarriage is rust free just not spotless but it's a driver not a points show car. LOL No worries, same as my differential seal, a tiny leak but nothing to worry about. Not enough to even drip.
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BJRVentport2
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Re: Anyone replace the Rear Main in the car?

Post by BJRVentport2 »

Update, I replaced the rear main seal with the new updated seal. Drove it off and on all summer and no leaks. So the new seal works great, if your crankshaft is not rough.
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