How to support engine

[Mike V. Florida]

Good luck with the one piece seal. The crank must be 100% true in line and the section the leaves the engine and is in contact with the new seal must be near mirror finish. If these are done you have a good chance of it working.

Do a search and you will read all the horror stories about the "new and improved" seal.

 

[Dollar Bill]

Well, since no one spoke in favor of the rubber seal, I'll give the rope version a shot. The leaky rope seals in the two 8N's previously mentioned were installed at the machine shop. I can't do any worse than they did.

I was more than a little concerned that I was going to tear into this and not see any real cause for the oil leak. I no longer have that concern - It seems a stray piece of what appears to be a previous crankshaft pulley wiped out the seals.

Here's the perpetrator:

I found it lodged in the oil pan rope seal retainer.

Have wondered why the previous owner put a new crank pulley on it and now I know.

Any thoughts on what caused the previous pulley to grenade?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

If the crank pulley bolt is tightened to pull the pulley into place, and the keyway notch isn't engaged in the pulley slot, that will break the pulley sleeve. I've seen it happen. Best to install the pulley first, then install the covers with seal halves.

 

[Dollar Bill]

Thanks Tom. I had no problem removing the pulley or installing the replacement. They just slid right into place. Not loose but I was expecting it to give me a little more trouble than it did. I would characterize it as a light interference fit - Is that a problem?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

You should be OK as long as it's a slightly snug slip fit. You might put some sealer around the crank bolt shoulder to prevent any oil from slipping through between the pulley sleeve and crankshaft.

 

[Dollar Bill]

I plan to reinstall a 2 piece crank pulley for ease of removal next time. Was wondering about oil seeping between the sleeve and crank - Thinking stiff grease. Or do you recommend a sealant?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

My temporary engine has a two piece pulley, and has never leaked a drop. I don't know if anything was put on the pulley as a sealant, but at least using some heavy grease wouldn't hurt. I like to study the path oil might use to get out of the engine and then use some sealer around head bolts or on the threads, and rear main bearing cap, etc.