Posted by Gordon on Monday, June 07, 2004 at 2:24PM :
In Reply to: $350 to replace? posted by Mark Toper on Monday, June 07, 2004 at 1:55PM :
It isn't THAT difficult to do, but the draining down, removing, replacing, and getting it right is a little tricky.
I found the real trick was to ensure that your rebuilder replaces the little 'h' seals between the two halves of the main bearing cap. Without them, or even with gasket goo in place of them, the oil supply to the main bearing leaks out and runs down the front of the flywheel making you think you have a leak from the main seal, whereas it is actually your cap half seals that are leaking.
Mind you, by the time you drop the sump and pull the bottom cap half, it takes just five minutes longer to replace the main seals as well as the 'h' seals so you are as well replacing them anyway.
Might be different on some engines, I just remember having to do it on the 230 in my WC 53 as the guy who did an otherwise excellent job of the rebuild spoiled it for want of those two little seals.