Rear Main Seal

Yep, you're stuck. I couldn't get a stock pan off in the car and I fought it like jack the bear (I was substantially younger back then) until I had enough and just pulled the engine.

It's hard to get motivated to do the work over but it's actually quicker and easier to yank the pig out and fix it.


BTW, when you check the rear main seal, look very close at how far the seal is proud from the cap and block.

You really only need .010-.015 crush on the seal and that's plenty. I never clock the seal with the ends below the cap and block.

If your block was line honed it makes the seal stick too far out of the block and cap. When you bolt them together with too much crush, it will force the seal out of round. And it will leak.

The only fix I know is to very carefully sand a little off both ends of each seal until you have the correct amount of seal sticking past the cap and block.

Practice up on the old seal before you work on the new seal. I just use a little belt sander. Keep the ends as square as you can.

That's my best .02 cents to try and help you. You'd be surprised how many guys don't check that and end up with oil leaks at the seal.

That and putting either the whole seal in backwards. Or just on half of it.

Don't ask how I know that. Just know that I know it.