Hi All, I just bought a 1981 F250 with 460 and the rear main seal is leaking bad - leaks 1 quart in 100 miles - the Haynes manual says it is possible to drop the pan and replace the seal with the motor in the vehicle.

Ir describes how to - basically - (disconnect everything in the way and) disconnect the motor mounts and lift the motor to the firewall. Then there's supposed to be room to drop and remove the oil pan and access the main bearings to replace the rear seal.

Thoughts on this? - is it really possible? Any gotcha's or bad surprises?

 

If I remember correctly,,,,,,,,,, there is a tool, like a Chinese finger, that was made to go up and over the sealing slot in the rear main and would connect to the new rope seal and allow you to pull the replacement rope through. Worked like a charm . Lower half was no problem. You just had to leave some extending from both halves to form a crush seal when the lower main was reinstalled.