3500 GT Rear Main Seal

It appears that I have a massive oil leak suddenly. Of course this is right after I installed a rebuilt ZF 5 spd, and clutch. I'm wondering if the rear main seal is replaceable whilst in the car? Can I just drop the pan, and have at it? Any first hand experience on this?

Many Thanks, RF.
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THe rear main is not replaceable with the engine in the car. You need to remove the crankshaft to replace it. Good time to replace rings and bearings as well

 

Oh my lord ...

 

Before you start to take things apart you may want to try a couple of cans of this sealer:
https://www.amazon.com/BlueDevil-Rear-Main-Sealer-Ounce/dp/B0079JX4JO/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3A6S5QM1XGN47&keywords=rear+main+seal+leak+stop&qid=1665432608&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjI0IiwicXNhIjoiMi40NyIsInFzcCI6IjIuMzQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=rear+main+seal+%2Caps%2C4732&sr=8-5

I am normally not into snake oil but in this case the alternative is pretty ugly so I would try it ..... reviews are generally good.

Ivan

 

Having a Mexico with a split rear main seal like this car, I had the same problem recently. It may be a loose bolt in the bell housing - as was the case for me. Cheapish resolution, otherwise it is catastrophic repair, as per quote above. Try the carnut stuff if not the bolt...

 

Thanks All. I report in when I get the nerve to attack this.

 

Just curious if when you did the clutch you used an impact wrench to remove the flywheel bolts. Perhaps the vibrations on the crank caused the seal to fail. Not that I would have used a different method as those bolts are almost impossible to remove without an impact wrench.

Ivan

 

Hi Ivan,
I forget actually, but most likely I did. The car has always leaked a lot of oil, but I was so excited doing the trans & clutch, I neglected to even think about the main seal. It's a very original, unmolested car, that sat for some 30 years outside. I just thoroughly cleaned the underside, and will try to pinpoint the leaks now. It's never been apart, and I run Valvoline racing 50wt oil.
Fingers Crossed, RF.

 

I managed to get the car back up on the lift after a brisk run since the cleaning. It appears that the bulk of the oil leak is coming from the left cam cover!

Fingers Crossed, RF.

 

The car lift, house and driveway are pretty interesting too.

 

The lift is a 1947 inground; mounted so that it lowers into the recess, and is covered by an aluminum plate for a flush, drive over surface when not in use. The siding is "Old Kentucky Logs" A cement takeoff from 100 year old hand hewn logs. They average to be about 2" thick; concrete with rebar; insulating, no rot, no bugs, non flameble, low maintanance. Pavers complete the driveway.