front crank seal installation

[PLohr]

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I have the front cover off the engine to reseal it and replace the front crankshaft seal. The Dodge factory service manual (Figure 71) says to install the front crank seal from the back side of the cover. This puts the seal in much deeper than where the factory had it... please read on for details. I do have the Miller 8281 tool to install this seal.



Before removing the old front crank seal, I measured the depth it was installed at. Turns out to be 1/16" deep, measured from the front of the cover's bore. I drove the old seal out. Then as a test I reinstalled the old seal as I understood the factory service manual procedure. I used the Miller 8281 tool to drive the seal from the back side of the front cover until the seal driver bottomed out on the front cover. Now the installation depth is 9/32". This is 7/32" deeper than the factory had the seal. The seal will not hit anything in the crankcase but I am not sure if this is right. Has anyone had success with the front crank seal installed deeper than the factory had it?



I don't have the new front crank seal kit yet. I understand that it comes with an installation tool that is to be used from the front side of the cover. So this gives me two options for installing the seal: first, from the back of the cover using the Miller 8281 seal driver; second, from the front of the cover using the seal driver provided in the Cummins front seal kit. Has anyone had success installing the seal from the front?



As a sidenote, in case anyone has trouble installing the front seal squarely in its bore, try using a drill press and wood blocks. It is not easy to get that seal in straight with a hammer and seal driver. See that information in this thread.



Thank you for any help,

Paul Lohr

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

I have installed the seal from the front with the cover still on the engine. Extremely difficult and frustrating but possible. I do not recommend it.

I would say if the seal as installed per instructions is not hitting anything then do that as it will be riding on a new spot on the crank.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[ABennin]

When I put my front seal in, I had to install it from the back and pressed it in with a large socket. The kit came with a "spacer" that fits over the front hole of cover and you use that to set the depth of the seal. The kit I used is a National(Federal Mogul) 39803. This was for a 2000, should be similair to your year.

 

[PLohr]

Thank you very much, gentlemen. This definitely helps.