this really isn't a restoration project but a restoration of my engine rear seal. The car is currently in Oklahoma City in storage after the real seal gave out during a recent road trip. I know this is a really long shot, but does anyone know a repair shop in the area or even within a 100 miles that might be able to change it? I'm told its just a matter of dropping the pan and backing off the main bearings a bit
Thanks
Al
Quote from: alzink on August 14, 2025, 03:10:10 PMthis really isn't a restoration project but a restoration of my engine rear seal. The car is currently in Oklahoma City in storage after the real seal gave out during a recent road trip. I know this is a really long shot, but does anyone know a repair shop in the area or even within a 100 miles that might be able to change it? I'm told its just a matter of dropping the pan and backing off the main bearings a bit
Thanks
Al
Is the oil pumping out or just leaking?
Little more to it than backing off the main bolts. It's a 2 piece seal. Bottom portion super easy but that also means obviously dropping the pan which is not as easy as "dropping the pan". There's possible exhaust cross member needing removed. The biggest challenge is fishing out the top portion of seal. I've seen several methods for doing this. If it's the original rope seal good luck. If it's just a drip leak you may be better off letting it drip. If it's really leaking bad I guess you have no choice. I certainly wouldn't trust just any mechanic. There are several YouTube videos on the subject of seal removal.
Quote from: Davidcamper on August 16, 2025, 09:41:39 AMLittle more to it than backing off the main bolts. It's a 2 piece seal. Bottom portion super easy but that also means obviously dropping the pan which is not as easy as "dropping the pan". There's possible exhaust cross member needing removed. The biggest challenge is fishing out the top portion of seal. I've seen several methods for doing this. If it's the original rope seal good luck. If it's just a drip leak you may be better off letting it drip. If it's really leaking bad I guess you have no choice. I certainly wouldn't trust just any mechanic. There are several YouTube videos on the subject of seal removal.
My friend Art Gardner and I have replaced the rear main bearing seal on several Cadillacs with 331 engines. Art wrote an article on how to replace the rear main seal with a neoprene seal, including how to fish out the top portion of the old seal. I can't post it here, but if you email me at jaysfriedman(at)yahoo.com, I'll reply with the article