Classic/Antique Car Repair/Rear Main Oil Seal

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Expert: - 12/21/2009


Question
What does it take to replace the rear main oil seal on a 1954 Packard Straight Eight engine with Ultramatic Transmission?

Thanks.

Answer
Drop the oil pan and the rear main bearing cap. Thread a sheet metal screw into the upper half of the seal and using a pair of vise grips on the head of the screw pull the seal out as you rotate the crankshaft. There is a tool available like a Chinese finger can be purchased at most auto supply houses or though specialty tool companies that advertise in Hemming Motor News. J. C. Whitney offers the tool their part number 1JA 362347 for $4.95. Then thread the tool through the upper groove and pull the tool through with the seal. Using a razor blade cut off the excess leaving about a 1/16th of an inch hanging out for squish on assembly. Roll the new seal into the lower cap using a large round object like the biggest socket that you have. Again cut off the excess leaving about a 1/16th of an inch sticking out at each end. Re install the cap torquing it to the proper value, install the pan, oil, and start the engine to check for leaks.
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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