351w 2 piece rear main

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03-31-2007, 01:02 AM

fomocoguy

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Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 10

351w 2 piece rear main

Hello all! I have a question, and hopefully some of you have some advice for me. I am about to replace the rear main seal in my 1978 Thunderbird, which is equipped with a 351w and has a two piece seal. I assume the original is a rope type but I'm not positive. Anyways, the question is do any of you have some helpful advice for removal of the old seal? I am doing it with the engine in the car still if possible. I think I have enough room to jack up the engine and get the pan off, but I know getting the top half of the seal out can be a real pain. Any advice would be apprieciated. Thanks!

03-31-2007, 01:17 AM

Hayapower

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Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 7,471

RE: 351w 2 piece rear main

The rope seal can usually be pulled with a 'cork screw' type puller or be removed a 'bit a time' with picks and some patience.. I used to have a Lisle kit to get'm out but's been a while.. The replacement seal is available in Neoprene or can be rope pulled.. Neoprene is easily rolled up into place..

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/FECA9CAB76744806A2F4300EB34C0C73.jpg[/IMG]

03-31-2007, 01:45 AM

fomocoguy

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Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 10

RE: 351w 2 piece rear main

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Hayapower

The rope seal can usually be pulled with a 'cork screw' type puller or be removed a 'bit a time' with picks and some patience.. I used to have a Lisle kit to get'm out but's been a while.. The replacement seal is available in Neoprene or can be rope pulled.. Neoprene is easily rolled up into place..

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/FECA9CAB76744806A2F4300EB34C0C73.jpg[/IMG]

That's a handy tool. I actually did this once before in an old F-100, and I used the end of a coat hanger. I unwound the top and cut it so that the corkscrew part could be screwed into the seal. I used a dril to run it in and just pulled it out. It was a pain, but it worked. It's nice to know that my homemade tool was basically the same as what the pro's use!

04-01-2007, 07:52 PM

goinstrong

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Join Date: Feb 2007

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Posts: 1,106

RE: 351w 2 piece rear main

Just be sure whatever tool you use the end should be slightly dull. I prefer the rope seal - lasts longer. Don't forget you usually have to torque your rear main cap back on. If you use an extension on a torque wrench - that changes the torque a slight bit (increases torque). Sometimes you can push the one side and pull the other out easy with a pliers, but if you have the tool handy it's better to use. You first should look if you have the front or rear sump pan and how much clearance you'll have to the crossmember for dropping the pan. Don't forget to loosen the transmission mount nuts a little to cut down the flex on the mount - tighten them up when you're done.

04-01-2007, 11:18 PM

fomocoguy

Thread Starter

Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 10

RE: 351w 2 piece rear main

Quote:

ORIGINAL: goinstrong

Just be sure whatever tool you use the end should be slightly dull. I prefer the rope seal - lasts longer. Don't forget you usually have to torque your rear main cap back on. If you use an extension on a torque wrench - that changes the torque a slight bit (increases torque). Sometimes you can push the one side and pull the other out easy with a pliers, but if you have the tool handy it's better to use. You first should look if you have the front or rear sump pan and how much clearance you'll have to the crossmember for dropping the pan. Don't forget to loosen the transmission mount nuts a little to cut down the flex on the mount - tighten them up when you're done.

Thanks! I hadn't really thought about loosening the trans mount. It's got a front sump, so it looks like I'll be able to just drop the pan and pull it out foward, as long as I can get the engine up enough to provide the proper clearance.

04-01-2007, 11:30 PM

goinstrong

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location:

Posts: 1,106

RE: 351w 2 piece rear main

No problem. Trans. mounts are often overlooked when doing engine services. I've even had one develop cracks once for not loosening it. You learn little tricks as you go.