Rear Crankshaft Main Bearing Seal: Service and Repair

Fig. 55 Packing upper rear main bearing seal:

Fig. 56 Trimming upper rear main bearing seal:

Since the braided fabric seal used on these engines can be replaced only when the crankshaft is removed, the following repair procedure is recommended.
1. Remove oil pan and bearing cap.
2. Drive end of old seal gently into groove, using a suitable tool, until packed tight. This may vary between 1/4 and 3/4 inch depending on amount of pack required.
3. Repeat previous step for other end of seal.
4. Measure and note amount that seal was driven up on one side. Using the old seal removed from bearing cap, cut a length of seal the amount previously noted plus 1/16 inch.
5. Repeat previous step for other side of seal.
6. Pack cut lengths of seal into appropriate side of seal groove. A packing tool, BT-6433, Fig. 55, may be used since the tool has been machined to provide a built-in stop. Use tool BT-6436 to trim the seal flush with block, Fig. 56.
7. Install new seal in lower bearing cap.