front crankshaft seal

[DThibault]

While my 93 W350 was all apart, I decided to kill the KDP and took it all apart. I did that and replaced the front main seal. I did not replace the gasket for the front cover and I tapped the seal in with the cover installed. It did not go easy. Well I started the truck up yesterday and noticed a leak under the front cover this morning. Not happy. I guess I will have to tear it apart again but the fenders and core support are all on. What do I have to get at the seal to do a good job fixing it up. Should I put the seal in the cover before installing it? Thanks Dave

 

[Highfinance97]

I found it much easier to install the seal when the cover is off.



Its very possible that when you put the new seal on you put it in the same place the old one was.

and the reason it would be leaking if you did that is because the seal actually puts a groove in the end of the crank and its not a good sealing surface



take a look at it and if there is a groove move the seal a 1/8" or so.



hope that helps if thats where it is leaking





Michael

 

[dpuckett]

ALso, make sure the seal surface is COMPLETELY DRY. But, if you didnt replace the gasket, it could be leaking as well. Only way to truly tell is to pull the harmonic balancer, and check the seal and gasket.



Daniel

 

[DThibault]

I guess I'll tear into it this weekend, I just hate to do things twice. Can I just take the radiator out and then the fan and balancer and have at it? How long a job should it be anyway. I can't wait to get it going and drive it around with the new cab and paint and all. Thanks for the help.

 

[dpuckett]

I've done it in well under 2hours, taking my time cleaning stuff off as I go. Of course, with my girlfriend helping, I have done a VE R&R in 45-50min.....



You can drain the radiator a little (gallon should suffice), and remove the upper hose. Undo the 4 bolts holding the fan hub onto the block, and lift the whole assembly up and out. Then it is easy access to everything else. I dont see any need to remove the entire radiator.



Upon reinstall, I put the little plastic thingie inside the seal, and slide it over the crankshaft. Then I line up the bolt holes and the gasket, and start about 6 of them around the cover. Snug them down, then put in the rest of the bolts.



DP

 

[GHarman]

Check the crankshaft at the point where the seal rides. Mine had a groove worn into it. The replacement seal uses a repair sleeve that slips tightly over the crankshaft and acts as a new sealing surface. GregH

 

[Moab4x4]

I got a replacement front seal from C. I tried the way the FSM said to do it with the cover on the engine. The front seal was VERY tight in the cover and I buggered up the first one I bought. This was working on an engine on a stand. I then came in and read my TDR while waiting for a new seal to come in. I then went out and pulled the front cover and used a press to install the seal and then installed the cover the way Daniel recommended.

It took me less time to pull the cover, use the press and reinstall the cover not to mention the cost of the first seal.



I will admit that for the first seal, I kept tapping in the seal and one side would pop out then the other. I finally lost it and smacked it a good one mashing the outer lip on the front of the driveshaft. my bad. With more patience and a better hammer it might not be so bad.

 

[Highfinance97]

I will admit that for the first seal, I kept tapping in the seal and one side would pop out then the other. I finally lost it and smacked it a good one mashing the outer lip on the front of the driveshaft. my bad. With more patience and a better hammer it might not be so bad.

Been there done that

it was even a PIA trying to put the seal in the cover while its on the bench.





Michael

 

[DThibault]

Thanks guys, that's the way I did it. I got the seal in OK (with some difficulty) but I think that when you do it that way, on the engine, the seal doesn't have a chance to center itself. It has to go where the already tight bolts tell it. It really torques me because it was a wonderfully warm October day the first time and now I have to do it with the New England north wind bearing down on me. I took the truck for a ride tonight and everything is good on my new recab, no rattles, smooth transmission, new 4" exhaust with a great sound and then I get back and see the front seal drip on a cardboard I put there. Everyday is a learning process. I'll get it though, Thanks