[Maine Sail]

What makes you assume it's the rear main seal? Is it dripping from the weep hole in the bell housing? It could just be an oil pan leak.

The rear main on most all engines is removed off the output end of the crank with the flywheel, & sometimes bell housing, removed. If you do this be very careful to NOT scratch or mar the crank shaft in any way where it meets the rear mains bearing seal surface..

General Instructions:

Remove gear box:

Remove damper plate (you should use an impact driver and a mini butane torch for heat as many damper plate bolts are put in with red Loctite):


Remove flywheel; many times easier said than done due to moisture and the resulting rust. Use a brass or lead hammer if you need to whack it. Never use a metal harder or as hard as the flywheel.


Remove Flywheel; If the flywheel still won't slide off you can make a jig and use the damper plate as a puller. You'll want to replace the damper plate anyway while your in there.



Pulling Jig In Place:


Rear Main Seal; This one was only replaced because I was already "in there". Even at 3000 hours it was not leaking. The oil in and around that area was from a minor valve cover gasket leak.


New Seal:


While not a tough job in terms of difficulty level it can be tedious and time consuming..