My 74 Lesabre with a 455 has developed a pretty bad rear main leak. So bad there is not an oil stain, but an oil puddle under the car. I've not changed one before although I'm not intimdated by the job. I'm looking for advice on the best way to approach this. I was thinking I'd drop the trans and lift the engine as needed to get the job done.
If you can lift the engine enough to get the pan off, you can likely get the rear main off and pull the old seal out and put the new seal in. If you have to pull the engine, that will be easier for the rear seal portion of the job.
Which will in all probability turn into a frame off restoration. " While Im in here lets take care of this...."
Just make sure that it's not the intake or valve cover gaskets leaking before you go after the rear main. Spending an hour or so now cleaning it up and adding dye can save many hours later, especially like Briz said, when it turns into a body off restoration!
You’re better off doing it right, pull the engine, send it to JW for a complete build. While you’re waiting, separate the frame and body for complete Resto. No time like the present
I've done a couple of rear main seals with the engine "in the chassis", lifted-up as needed to clear the crossmember. NEVER AGAIN. When it's MY labor, I'm pulling the engine out so the job can be done standing-up instead of working on my back like a prostitute. I prefer to flip the engine over on an engine stand, than to flip me over on a sheet of cardboard or a creeper. Even working under a hoist doing that job is a pain in the neck.
I've done a lot of work on my back but never for pay. LOL Changing starters in the gravel on the side of the road was the worst one. It was a factory heavy, not one of the nice, light ones I use now.
If it's in a car, sure. In my application, neither way is easy. I did a shift improver kit with the trans in the truck on my 4 post lift. It wasn't easy, but still better than pulling the trans out.
Two options 1. Sell the car 2. Pull engine so it can be done correctly,..psi wash engine bay,..psi wash engine replace worn upper control arm bushings and everything else you now see,....wish you had never seen the leak,...wish you had never bought the car to begin with,....pull yourself out of the rabbit hole and finally just fix it ,..then sell the car haha,..this is how do it
3rd option if you want to live with the leak, https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?t...h-hole-on-flywheel-cover.362502/#post-3121938 See post # 7 and #15.
Walter, Since your new engine is being machined right now, I think you won't have to worry about this.. assuming that one is slated for this car... throw a pan under it for now. Then you will have plenty of time to put it on stand and install a 2 piece neoprene seal in it at your leisure, if your going to use that engine in something else, or want to prep it for sale.. JW
