Rear Main Seal Replacement

Posted by Brian A. On 2012/10/25 0:37:01

Hello Everybody,
I have a leaking rear main seal on my '55 400. I want to stop the bleeding and the embarrassing wet spots in friends driveways. I read a thread about replacing the seal on an in-line 8 and did not get a "warm fuzzy" for a DIY project from that thread. I read the bulletin from Apr '55 about filing a notch in the bearing cap to stop leaks at the rear main seal. When I pull the oil pan I will look for that modification but since the leak has gotten progressively worse I don't think this is the problem. I don't have the facilities at home to pull the tranny to replace this seal. According to the Parts Cross Reference for rear main seal replacement it can be replaced in car without dropping the tranny.
If there is anyone who has replaced the rear main seal in their engine by only dropping the oil pan I would be very appreciative of any advice and techniques that will help me with this project.
Also, any recommendations on seal replacement as far as sticking with the rope seal or modernizing to the neoprene one?
Thank you for any help given.
Brian