Hello everyone,

I got a minor oil leak and as I've been told it must be the crankshaft seal. How do I get to that seal? What do I have to dismont?
Are there tightening torques I have to mind? Do I need new crank bolts?

It's a 1952 Super 88 with the original 303 (Engine is still in the car and I'd like to keep it like that)

thanks in advance.

Best regards from Germany

 

Front or rear of crankshaft? Front is straightforward replacement of seal, rear will require major work. Sometimes the rear original rope seal will leak less with use and operation. Good luck ~

 

Sorry. It's the rear.

 

Advice from another 52 owner - Let it go if it is minor. I put cardboard from large boxes under one of my cars when it will sit in garage. Even with proper tamped installation of a quality graphite impregnated rope seal can still seep oil if the engine is not operated regularly. They do settle down with use and heat-cold cycles. If you want it done best practice is to remove engine and replace the seal out of car.

You can consider the modern replacement neoprene lip seals but it is still not 100% on leak free operation. Normal 1952 303 running oil pressure even with thick oil at cold startup should not exceed perhaps 60PSI, maybe 15-20 idling hot in gear. Big oil pressure is not needed and will make running leaks worse.

Good luck

 

It's leaking a LOT, since almost 7 years now and I want it to stop :P
I leave a rainbow trace when it's raining...

 

OK - Lot of miles? Very worn main bearings contribute to rear main leaks, and to front seal leaks in the transmission. If there is a bottled 'pour it in' product for running engine oil leaks I'm not aware of any that work. Best of luck ~

 

This is not an easy fix with the engine in the car. You need to drop the oil pan, then loosen all the main bearing caps, then remove the rear cap. Then you need to use a "sneaky pete" tool to pull the new rope seal section into position above the crank. Replace the other half in the rear main cap, then put it all back together. It's almost easier to just pull the engine

 

oh no. This looks like a lot of “fun” 😏

I’ve already dropped the oil pan yet but I can’t get the main bearing cap screws open.
is there any trick or are they left threaded?

do I have to use heavy tools? I don’t want to break anything 😳

 

There's no trick. You might want to consider spending more time at the gym.

Seriously, they are torqued to 100 ft-lb on mains #1 - #4 and 140 ft-lbs on main #5. An impact wrench is the way to go.

 

haha maybe I should do that 😂🙈

or get some better tools.
thanks

 

No they are not left hand thread.

 

sorry for all my stupid questions but do I have to remove the transmission?
where can I get this “sneaky pete” tool?

I now could remove the old seal

 

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=sneaky+pete+tool

 

Are there different sizes of seals for the 303? We think it looks a bit big respectively it gets stuck when we try to pull it with the sneaky pete.