rear main

[firefighter2134]

so this might be a shot in the dark. can the rear main seal be replaced without pulling the engine. new to the 351m class...doin some research before i go deeper than i need to. all input is welcome! thanks asiel

[chuzie]

pull the tranny. gotta pull something unfortunately

[gumby93]

once u pull tranny it is a peice of cake...replaced mine when i first got it

[bucketobolts]

The 351M should have a two piece rope-type seal. That means you need to drop the oil pan and remove the rear main cap. Then fish the upper half in to the block and the lower in to the cap.

[josephitguy]

They make a tool for this called the Sneaky Pete! x2 on the rear main cap and fishing the seal out.

[broncomatt]

It is a rubber 2 peice seal, sticks out of the block some and out of the main cap some. You can usualy push the seal out of the block with a peice of coat hanger. The main cap is easy.
You dont have too pull anything more than the oil pan, starter, maybe your y-pipe.
If the block side is hard to get out, loosen all the main bolts a few turns, takes the press off the seal. Besure to lube it good when you put it back in, and be very carefull to not peal any rubber off the seal as you push it in.

[broncomatt]

I actuly can give you some pics of what they look like apart as mine is on the stand still. If you feel that will help some.

[firefighter2134]

thanks! pics are always nice to go by.i dont have to worry bout a y pipe because it has headers so after looking prolly just starter and oil pan! thanks guys.

[bucketobolts]

Remember to properly re-torque the rear cap and any other main cap bolts that you loosen. Wasn't I, but I did see the aftermath once...

[firefighter2134]

complete no more leaking from rear main! now just from valve cover...