Rear Main

[CaptainKRM]

I've replaced the rear main on my Explorer 5.0 twice since my swap. it keeps developing a small leak and it's more an annoyance than anything else, but its driving me nuts. is there a trick to putting these in that i'm ignoring? dealer tech thought it was a bad crankshaft, but there is no end play to speak of and the engine runs like a top.

[DuceAnAHalf]

One piece? Make sure the crank surface is smooth and burr free, make sure the seal is going the right way and use a little oil to lube the seal so it doesn't tear

[gadget73]

What he said. Any burrs or grooves and it won't seal. If there is a groove, you can probably get a speedi-sleeve to go over the end of the crank so you have a good sealing surface. Any burrs can be sanded down carefully with 400 or so grit sandpaper with some light oil on it.

For installing the seal I actually like to use a little bit of grease as lube but its the same idea. Are you leaking between the seal lip and the crank, or between the outer metal sleeve of the seal and the block? If its leaking around the block, a little Permatex #2 or similar non-hardening sealer around the outer ring of the seal will help with that.

[91grandmarquis]

Yeah sometimes they just don't seal right though, especially if its a high mileage engine. All and all a crap shoot and a shitty job, best of luck.

[CaptainKRM]

well its a lower mileage 97 engine. the leak isn't terrible now so i'm going to wait until the snow melts a bit before I go after it again.