Re: oil leak at rear of engine

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2013/7/30 8:08:45

I doubt the extra oil causes the problem as many of us do that, though 1/2 quart is more commonly what most folks add as extra. There is a drain or return hole for the rear seal in the rear main bearing cap and if that's clogged, it could cause the leak and not the seal itself - you'll see it when you drop the cap. Changing the seal is the same procedure as used on many makes of cars for decades, very standard stuff - try any of the Packard shop manuals back into the 30s for the procedure but essentially, after removal of the rear main bearing cap and old seal halves, it's installing the new graphite cord, forming it into shape and very carefully trimming the ends. Your not the first to bring this topic up, it's been discussed on here many times in the past, so try a search.

Not particularly a "fun" job. You'll want to find one of those "Chinese finger" toys to pull the upper seal half thru, and loosening all the remaining main bearing caps a small but equal amount allows the crank to drop a small amount and provides a bit extra clearance.