Replacing the rear main seal on side oiler

[steve meltzer]

OK, with a professional mechanic, who's never seen a Kirkham, we got the pan off and the rear main seal replaced without moving a %*&^#$@ thing! The hardest part was getting the oil pickup back in with the pan held on at the rear by only 2 longer bolts than you would normally use. Once the oil pickup is in place, we replaced the long bolts with the stock pan bolts and bolted her back up. Haven't run the car to see if we were successful, but it sure looks good for the moment. Didn't move the tranny or engine or nuttin'! Way out of my skill range, but it is done. I had all of the pan bolts out, except for three buggers, which he got out and successfully replaced (and no he doesn't have the hands of a five year old!) s

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by steve meltzer

Haven't run the car to see if we were successful, but it sure looks good for the moment....

Well, that sounds encouraging, but you know you have to fire it up, drive it, and then find no puddles under the car before you can declare that car to be in partial remission.

[steve meltzer]

agreed! as does the mechanic who didn't want to be paid until it was dry. probably will be mid to late week before i get the carb back on and cleaned up on the bottom. I took the carb off to put the engine removal hook in place, but we never needed it. or at least I don't think we needed it! thanx for your encouragement.s

[steve meltzer]

Oh yes you can! So far, the repair of the rear main seal on KMP#174's 427 SO, has held well. Again, done with the R&R of the Aviad pan, and no moving of anything! Now, I didn't do it, but my mechanic, who I swear can do anything, saved the engine from disturbing its slumber. I do have a small leak at the dipstick, right side, where the coupler I used can't be tightened anymore. any thoughts here? I was thinking that I could just use a piece of rubber tubing to mate the dipstick (from a 454 BB Chevy, as I recall) to the pan. Any thoughts here? I will post this under the FE section as well. thanx everyone for your advice. steve

[patrickt]

Very good. I don't really understand the dipstick issue, maybe a pic to help explain it unless somebody else comes up with a quick and easy fix.

[steve meltzer]

OK, lemme shoot a picture or two, probably in the AM. thanx Patrick.s

[steve meltzer]

totally forgot the picture, but fixed using a piece of rubber hose and ditched the leaky compression fitting. thanx. s (see the post in the FE section) s