rear main seal question

[Cowboy]

how hard is it to replace the rear main seal on a 73 j4000 360? Do you have to split the engine and trans or can you do it through the oil pan? please help soon as i will have the oil pan off on tuesday to clean oil pump pickup screen.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

You can replace the rear main seal through the oil pan, splitting engine and trans is not neccessary. Here is a link from our Tech section on the basics of the job. ;)
Rear Main Seal Replacement (http://www.ifsja.org/tech/motors/rearmainseal.shtml)

[Cowboy]

crazy jeepman thanks for the link and info

[Lindel]

Be prepared though, it's a messy job! You'll spend most of your time cleaning, and being dripped on.

The works easy enough, but it's messy!

[kyjman]

If you have the time let the oil drain for a day or two. Its less messy the more you let it drain.

[Va-Rob]

Be paitent when driving out the old seal. There is a metal ring inside of it. make sure your drift or punch lines up on it. I found my brass punches at a swap meet.

Rob

[Cowboy]

tahnks for the tips. I've had it sitting without any oil in it for 2 days now. My dad has an extensive puch collection, so hopefully i will be allright we'll see how it goes tomorrow afternoon.