not sure about rausch creek. my friend is working weekends this winter, so it's hard to get time off. i do plan on going up when the weather gets warmer, and when i know the trailer will be ready. if you all still want to go, i'm ok with it. (i'm pm'ing everyone now)

i did not replace the rear main. when i did the rebuild, i didn't disconnect the tranny (in retrospect, i should have pulled the engine). the rear main is the original. is it the same story with the front main, in regard to wearing a groove into the shaft?

 

Rear main seems to last much longer in my experience.

 

In the case of the rear main, I think it's more of a degradation of the rubber itself, more then wearing a groove it in. My theory on that is there is less deflection in the crank in the rear due to it being connected to the trans, where as in the front you got the belts wanting to pull up on the crank without the crank being attached to anything on the front. But once again, it's only my theory.

P.S. I also believe there is no sleeve for the crank for a rear main like on the front main. If so, that supports my theory.

Another contributing factor for the front main is that it sees a heck of a lot more crud then the rear main does.

 

^^^^ I agree with that.

 

so pretty much, just check the condition of said seal? this would be a good winter break project, but i still need to order the parts.

thanks guys. i'll keep you all updated

 

Great work on your build and awesome write up. I'll have to read through all the pages when I have time.

Subscribed for future reference, motivation, and ideas!

 

The heck with inspecting it, order new rear main seal and gasket and a new clutch/flywheel and be done with it. BTW I think I might have a new rear main seal sitting here from my rebuild if you need it. Just don't have the gasket.

 

Great info, B!

I agree, totally, with replacing the clutch/etc, while in there. Might as well do the trans input shaft seal that I did as well, if you're dropping the trans completely.

Best wishes, Ian... always looking forward to your next McGuyver Installation/Upgrade! hehehe..... Ok, you don't use toothpicks/foil and toothpaste... but you know what I mean... You think interesting crap up! ahahha

 

toothpicks: used some for my e-fan indication light mounting
foil: mylar foil insulation
toothpaste: polishing tail light lenses

 

Hey Ian: hadn't checked out your thread for few days.
sorry to hear about the seal.

Awesome Christmas display. Glad you can have something like that...in my neighborhood some low life would trash it..

 

funny how this turned into me replacing the clutch since i'm in there replacing the seal haha

all my seals are fine, it's the clutch that's giving out. i need to look up how to do it, but it shouldn't be too hard to change out while i'm replacing the clutch

 

just looked up the parts diagrams. looks like: remove trans/flywheel, remove back plate, remove seal retainer, replace seal and gasket, reinstall.

unless i need to drop the oil pan. in that case, the rear seal is just fine

 

Right, replacing rear main itself is rather simple. Too simple not to do it while the trans is out replacing the clutch. You don't want the rear main to eventually go (and it will) as the oil it leaks will toast the new clutch that your putting in.

 

drats... will i have to pull the entire pan, or just those 2 bolts, and re-seal with rtv?

 

You can probably get away with re-sealing.

 

thanks. i'm also reading that people have just pulled the seal like the front main, and others who also use a sleeve (yeah, they make 'em)

 

Yeah, I don't know the fail factor on that papr gasket behind the seal housing. But Like I said, let me know if ya want this rear seal I have. I had it extra because I ended up with two rebuild gasket kits. I just hope it's not a front main. Now ya gonna make me work to find it. lol.

 

yu have pm!

 

I feel for you on this. Looks like everything else is sealed nicely and can understand not wanting to break the seal between the pan and rear main. I think I would go with Brandons suggestion.

 

i think i'll sleeve it too, just to be sure.

it's not that it'll be hard to do, just that i'll need to make a visit to g-ma's garage