Main rear seal replacement !

[RayinVA]

I have the 1940 9N in half now to replace a spring to the throw out bearing assembly. I noticed a small amount of oil on the bottom of housing below the clutch plate that drips out the bottom hole. Would this oil be coming past a rear main seal? If so,, How difficult is it to replace the seal? I'm not in the mood to take off the clutch pressure plate and then find out it is a big job to replace the seal..... I don't have a spline aligning tool so putting the pressure plate back on with the clutch plate centered is a bit tricky (but I did accomplish this last year).

Thanks. Ray

 

[Anonymous-0]

My practice on rear main seals is the only time they are changed is when the main bearings are changed. I know people talk about a tool to put them in without removing the cap but I have never seen one work properly. My feeling is I can buy a LOT of oil for the agravation of trying to change one. The clutch alignment tool is something that you should be able to rent/borrow from any of the big chain auto parts stores. The N series takes the same tool as the Ford cars of the 50s and 60s.

 

[Bob Harvey]

If you already have it split, good time to replace the front transmission seal AND have a real good look at the clutch. Replacing the clutch is easy - especially if you are replacing the trans seal (should anyway). The trans input shaft can be used for the alignment tool ! HTH P.S. Most clutch kits come with the tool.

 

[John (TR)]

Unless you are a glutten for punishment just replace the lower part of the seal because you cant drop the crank without pulling the timing cover and the the entire bottom end. I tried one of the finger lock things on a 4.9 Pontiac V8 several times and they always leaked. I think the seal gets stretched pulling it in and the cross section width is reduced and they never seal right.

 

[weaveman]

just use the transmission input shaft to align the clutch. It's what I did and it worked great.