Rear Main Seal

pajeff02 · Post by **pajeff02** » Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:40 pm

We recently acquired a '54 M38A1 and have been loving it. Unfortunately, it has a plethora of issues that I have had to sort through. The first issue I tackled was the engine oil leaks. I have been able to remedy all of them, save one, that I believe is probably emanating from the rear main seal. Has anyone ever successfully utilized a "sneaky pete" to replace the upper portion of the rear main seal?

Post by **wesk** » Sat Oct 27, 2018 6:06 pm

If your F134 is the correct vintage for your M38A1 it should have a crank machined for the preformed seal not the rope seal.

Over the years I have tackled a couple from underneath but it always seemed those came back and bit me in the shorts a while later.

In more recent history I do it right the first time. Pull the engine without the tranny & transfer, bolt her to the engine stand and have a pleasant experience standing upright and looking down at the patient. With added benefit of giving her a good all over inspection and not seeing her back with a rear main leak the following year.

Just a heads up, engine oil dripping from the drain hole in the bell can come from several places on the back of the engine.

You should review my Photo Album, sub-album on rear main seals:
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... _album.php

pajeff02 · Post by **pajeff02** » Sun Oct 28, 2018 6:08 am

Thank you for the reply and additional information. The transmission is coming out this week for a rebuild as it is stuck in second gear (keys in the synchro assembly let loose). I will check all the other potential sources of a leak before deciding what to do. I guess at that point it is not that much more work to pull the engine and do it right if it is the seal.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Oct 28, 2018 9:09 am

I won't pull a tranny without a lift in the shop. If you have your lifting eye still on the head then you can pull the grill and the rear crossmember, disconnect accessories, clutch and gas and lift it all out in one swing using the rear hump in the lift eye.

pajeff02 · Post by **pajeff02** » Sun Oct 28, 2018 10:43 am

The lift hook was missing when we acquired it. We have a well equipped shop so removal isn't an issue. I think our jeep has been on my lift more than it's been on the road these past several weeks. Looking forward to next year as we should be able to simply enjoy it by then.