Crankshaft rear main seal leaking

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Mon Apr 20, 15 6:00 pm

Having rebuilt, installed and run my engine.......
http://www.moparuk.com/forums/viewtopic ... facel+vega

http://www.moparuk.com/forums/viewtopic ... facel+vega

........ I have a leak from the rear main seal 'cos I probably did a crap job of trying to seal the sides of the retainer with silicone and pipe cleaners.

Now I have to pull the engine again 'cos I can't stand puddles on the floor.

My brother-in-law with lots of experience in industrial vehicle maintenance recons I should do away with silicone and use Indian Head Shellac instead.

What do you recon?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Apr 20, 15 7:04 pm

DaveB is the mainseal king. I would take his advice........

I am not convinced they leak from the sides of the retainer, we used a mirror on the last leak and it appears to come from the 6 o'clock position on the retainer..........

BJ Mac · Post by **BJ Mac** » Mon Apr 20, 15 11:54 pm

I agree with Pete, if Dave B gave me any advice I'd take it as Gospel

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Apr 21, 15 3:42 am

Alternatively if you are in Northants,give it to Hauser Racing in Finedon, and say "Please Fix!!"

http://www.hauserracing.com/

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Tue Apr 21, 15 10:21 am

Pete wrote:DaveB is the mainseal king. I would take his advice........

I am not convinced they leak from the sides of the retainer, we used a mirror on the last leak and it appears to come from the 6 o'clock position on the retainer..........

Well, yes. I accept Dave's advice is good but it does not mean I did an adequate job of sealing the retainer

So Pete, what does it mean by "appears to come form the 6 o'clock position"? How is the oil getting by? Is that past the journal seal rather than the side seals of the retainer?

Anyway, how could you see it?

I will give Hauser a ring. Ta for the advices.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Apr 21, 15 10:31 am

Oil gets under the seal and runs between it and the Retainer, NOT between the Oil seal and Crank - we checked with the engine tilted and a mirror......Geof will sort you out, he has been on Mopars for Donkey's years....tell him I sent you!!

That should put him off..............

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Tue Apr 21, 15 1:18 pm

Pete wrote:Oil gets under the seal and runs between it and the Retainer, NOT between the Oil seal and Crank - we checked with the engine tilted and a mirror......Geof will sort you out, he has been on Mopars for Donkey's years....tell him I sent you!!

That should put him off..............

A great big Thank You, Pete.

I have been along to Hauser. Not sure who I saw/talked with there, possibly not Geof but got a proper set of Mopar seals and good advice how to fit them. His opinion of the pipe cleaner seals was not high.

I was advised on how to fit these seals and also engine lubrication, so got some Zinc additive too.

So I'm going to drip oil all over the place on Drive-it Day, then pull the engine and fit new seals.

Cheers all.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Apr 21, 15 2:32 pm

You are welcome.

If it was a huge bloke it was Ian, if it was a small bloke it was Geof...

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Tue Apr 21, 15 6:55 pm

Pete wrote:You are welcome.

If it was a huge bloke it was Ian, if it was a small bloke it was Geof...

He were BIIIG

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 21, 15 11:07 pm

I am just about to start building my 440 and was wondering why the gasket set doesn't have the 2 side seals for the rear main seal housing..
Did Hausers Keep the seal kit in stock?
Im wondering if I should get a good one in there now before I get too far on with the build..

I see you live in Gretton, I live in Ketton and work in Uppingham.
Its a small big block world!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Apr 21, 15 11:09 pm

You have to buy the real seal set separately..

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Wed Apr 22, 15 9:50 am

Ed wrote:I am just about to start building my 440 and was wondering why the gasket set doesn't have the 2 side seals for the rear main seal housing..
Did Hausers Keep the seal kit in stock?
Im wondering if I should get a good one in there now before I get too far on with the build..

I see you live in Gretton, I live in Ketton and work in Uppingham.
Its a small big block world!

Yes, Hauser has the Mopar seal set for the rear main seal in stock - but give 'em a ring. Don't know if I took the last one or not. Definitely a better option than the pipe cleaner/silicone method. It was impressed on me to carefully degrease the joint surfaces before fitting and to use just a smear of silicone to act as a lubricant as you push the seal housing into place. The side seals to be installed with a few mm (5/6) sticking out the bottom and fingers over the top as you Bananarama! down to ensure it runs top to bottom.

We come through Ketton from time to time on visits to Stamford/Burghley. Often in Uppingham.

JerryL · Post by **JerryL** » Mon May 04, 15 8:08 am

Well, turns out Dave's advice on fitting those pipe cleaner seals was good and I actually did a good job

Turned out (as I was preparing to lift the lump out) that the inside of the bell housing was dry and all the oil was coming from the rocker covers

Although I used RTV on the gaskets, maybe I did not tighten the covers down enough.

I made load spreaders for the bolts and fitted new gaskets with RTV and screwed 'em down tight. Hope that works properly now

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Mon May 04, 15 8:25 am

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon May 04, 15 9:57 am

That is a definite "Doh!!" and a learning point.

I am sure all that work is good for the soul............