Engine: Rear Main Seal

[Lou Van Anne]

I am suspicious that the serious oil leak under my 62 Champ V8 (with standard transmission) will require the replacement of the rear main seal. What should I expect, time wise, to make the repairs? I assume the transmission will have to be pulled...any suggestions, ideas you care to share. (This is a job beyond my capabilities...there goes another bucket full of money!)

[DieselJim]

On a Champ, remove the starter, drain the oil, remove the pan bolts. Drop the pan. Remove the oil pump and remove the rear main cap. Replace the seal. Clean all parts and reassemble with new gaskets. Apply silicone where the corners of the pan meet the block. Good luck.

[GrumpyOne]

In my experience I have found that most oil leaks from the rear of the engine are pan related and that rear oil seal failures are rare.

[Chucks Stude]

I second GrumpyOne's post. I left a lot of oil up and down I-35, up to a quart every 125 miles, and it was the pan gasket. Changed it, and now no oil consumption. Napa 15-50 full synthetic oil. Also, look at the top of the engine, valve cover gaskets, center valley gasket, and distributor gasket leaks can look like rear seal leaking.

[StudeNewby]

On my 64 Champ 259, I've replaced all gaskets and seals except the front seal. That appears to be where most of my oil leakage now comes from and it's blowing back from there. However, I've recently started using STP 20W-50, and I'm seeing a reduced amount of oil loss. Whether that is from consumption or leaking I am not sure yet. I'm continuing to monitor.