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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1939 chevrolet 216 engine(rear seal anmd front seal)

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Expert: - 7/14/2008


Question
Need to replace the front timing cover seal. Does the balancer just come off with a puller. Is there a bolt holding it in the center on the crankshaft? Rear seal, how is that replaced.

Answer
If the engine is stock the bolt that holds the front pulley in place is the part that you would put the hand crank in to start the engine. I use a dull chisel and hammer to turn this bolt out.    Then the pulley should tap off using a soft hammer. The rear main oil control on engine up to 1939 is by an oil slinger on the rear main not a seal. When the rear main leaks on those engine it is most commonly caused by a plugged up drain return hole in the lower main bearing cap. Pull the main and clean the drain. That should take care of the problem. Chevrolet started using a seal in the 1940 engine production run.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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