The Ford Barn

Habusailor · 10-06-2019, 08:03 AM

Besides soaking the rope seal is oil for a day or so, what are the techniques for removing and replacing the seal? I’m just dropping the pan. Do you have to loosen all the main caps?

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tubman · 10-06-2019, 08:27 AM

When I bought my last Fel-Pro 8BA pan gasket set, it came with a trimming guide, a razor knife, and specific instructions on how to install the seal. When first installed, it did not leak. Unfortunately, I had to remove the pan a short time later to swap oil pumps, and even though I was very careful upon replacing the pan, it developed a slight leak. I think these are "one-time" only deals.

The one thing you do want to remember is that the ends of the seal should be "proud" of the pan surface. When I installed mine using the "Fel-Pro" guide, it stuck up out of the pan more than I would have initially thought.

You do not have to loosen any caps.

RalphM · 10-06-2019, 01:27 PM

Is this with the engine still in the car? The transmission still attached? I would think you might be able to knock the seal retainer around the crank with a brass punch or a hardwood drift.
But I was also thinking you would have to loosen all the main caps as well. I recently did an FE motor and the seal was so stuck in the block the crank had to come out completely.

frnkeore · 10-07-2019, 01:30 AM

My last year as a mechanic, was 1970, at that time, they made a puller, that was designed after a Chinese finger trap but, made of thin, braided wire. You use a small brass punch, to start the seal out and if you couldn't pull it the rest of the way, with pliers, you used the puller.

Soak the seal as usual, attach to the puller and run the other end over the crank, then pull it threw and cut as described.

I never pulled a 50+ year old seal but, if it was well oiled, when installed, it should come out ok.

Brian · 10-07-2019, 03:05 AM

Habu, What engine? Does it in fact have a rear seal?

Habusailor · 10-07-2019, 03:59 PM

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Brian 49 custom sedan

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RalphM · 10-07-2019, 06:30 PM

So I know someone has done this.
Tubman, what’s the procedure? Because the top half is in the seal retainer right?

GEOFFNZ · 10-08-2019, 05:17 PM

I have had a much better result using the graphite type seal.Cheers

10-06-2019, 08:03 AM	#1
Habusailor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Fargo North Dakota Posts: 264	Rear main seal Besides soaking the rope seal is oil for a day or so, what are the techniques for removing and replacing the seal? I’m just dropping the pan. Do you have to loosen all the main caps? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-06-2019, 08:27 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Rear main seal When I bought my last Fel-Pro 8BA pan gasket set, it came with a trimming guide, a razor knife, and specific instructions on how to install the seal. When first installed, it did not leak. Unfortunately, I had to remove the pan a short time later to swap oil pumps, and even though I was very careful upon replacing the pan, it developed a slight leak. I think these are "one-time" only deals. The one thing you do want to remember is that the ends of the seal should be "proud" of the pan surface. When I installed mine using the "Fel-Pro" guide, it stuck up out of the pan more than I would have initially thought. You do not have to loosen any caps.

10-06-2019, 01:27 PM	#3
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Rear main seal Is this with the engine still in the car? The transmission still attached? I would think you might be able to knock the seal retainer around the crank with a brass punch or a hardwood drift. But I was also thinking you would have to loosen all the main caps as well. I recently did an FE motor and the seal was so stuck in the block the crank had to come out completely.

10-07-2019, 01:30 AM	#4
frnkeore Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 782	Re: Rear main seal My last year as a mechanic, was 1970, at that time, they made a puller, that was designed after a Chinese finger trap but, made of thin, braided wire. You use a small brass punch, to start the seal out and if you couldn't pull it the rest of the way, with pliers, you used the puller. Soak the seal as usual, attach to the puller and run the other end over the crank, then pull it threw and cut as described. I never pulled a 50+ year old seal but, if it was well oiled, when installed, it should come out ok. __________________ Frank '35 Ford Model 51 '48 Ford F3 '54 Ford Tudor Mainline Last edited by frnkeore; 10-07-2019 at 12:16 PM.

10-07-2019, 03:05 AM	#5
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,832	Re: Rear main seal Habu, What engine? Does it in fact have a rear seal? __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

10-07-2019, 03:59 PM	#6
Habusailor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Fargo North Dakota Posts: 264	Re: Rear main seal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Brian 49 custom sedan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-07-2019, 06:30 PM	#7
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Rear main seal So I know someone has done this. Tubman, what’s the procedure? Because the top half is in the seal retainer right?

10-08-2019, 05:17 PM	#8
GEOFFNZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oxford New Zealand Posts: 177	Re: Rear main seal I have had a much better result using the graphite type seal.Cheers