Rear main seal, should I replace it or leave it alone?

M

Mike92GT

Founding Member

Jan 23, 2002

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Florida

Dec 14, 2005

#1

• Dec 14, 2005

• #1

I'm getting ready to do my clutch, flywheel, and trans swap. I figured that while I was in there I would go ahead and replace my rear main. On the other hand, I don't think it's leaking, and some folks say if it's not leaking your better off not messing with it. The engine is a DSS 308 bullet I bought new about 4 years ago. It has around 35K on it I think. What do you guys think?

 

gt40_2003wes

I did sound a wee bit gay there.

Aug 14, 2005

461

2

48

ky

Dec 14, 2005

#2

• Dec 14, 2005

• #2

woulodnt hurt to change it i had on go out on a engine with 40k on it best to be safe.

 

Modular2v

Founding Member

Jun 30, 2002

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oklahoma

Dec 14, 2005

#3

• Dec 14, 2005

• #3

if it isnt broke, dont fix it! althought some my refer to that as preventitive maint...

 

gt40_2003wes

I did sound a wee bit gay there.

Aug 14, 2005

461

2

48

ky

Dec 14, 2005

#4

• Dec 14, 2005

• #4

why not replace if he has the money he is already in there anyways miaswell take another 45 mins and do it.

 

T

tjm73

Founding Member

Aug 3, 2000

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Rush, NY

Dec 14, 2005

#5

• Dec 14, 2005

• #5

I agree, since you are already there it'll only cost a small ammount of money and time to change it.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Seattle

Dec 14, 2005

#6

• Dec 14, 2005

• #6

Modular2v said:

if it isnt broke, dont fix it! ..

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I have learned this leason well. Rear mains can last a long time. The factory 302 in my 90GT never had the rear seal changed. I owned that motor for the last 100k of its life. At 4k miles I wouldn't touch pandora's box.

Just my thoughts.
jason

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

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Collingwood, ON

Dec 14, 2005

#7

• Dec 14, 2005

• #7

I wouldn't touch it... too many people screw it up and it haunts them!!

 

M

Mike92GT

Founding Member

Jan 23, 2002

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Florida

Dec 15, 2005

#8

• Dec 15, 2005

• #8

Seems like about a 50/50 split. I guess I'll make a final decision when it's all apart and I can see for sure if it's leaking at all. The extra time/money isn't an issue, and I already have a new teflon seal just in case. I just don't want to create a leak where I didn't have one before.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Dec 15, 2005

#9

• Dec 15, 2005

• #9

Mike, I am with Jason on this one. I like your thinking - check it for being supple and not vulcanized when in there. And if good, I would leave that sucker alone.

If it leaks down the line, you can fix it and not feel bad. If you swapped it now when it werent (sic) broke, and it leaks as soon as you're done, you would kick yourself (that is how I feel atleast).

Good luck.

 

mustangjoe87

Member

Jul 23, 2004

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Harrison Twp., Michigan

Dec 15, 2005

#10

• Dec 15, 2005

• #10

only do it if its leaking

 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

Founding Member

Aug 7, 2002

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Arkansas

Dec 15, 2005

#11

• Dec 15, 2005

• #11

mustangjoe87 said:

only do it if its leaking

Click to expand...

:Word:

 

Swarzkopf

Member

Sep 23, 2004

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Pittsburgh

Dec 15, 2005

#12

• Dec 15, 2005

• #12

NO! Don't do it if it's not leaking!

You've got a 50-50 chance of the new seal leaking a bit if you change it now.

I replaced mine TWICE in the past year and it still leaks a little. I wish I never would've ****ed with it.

 

281pony

Active Member

Aug 31, 2003

2,681

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46

Oly, WA

Dec 15, 2005

#13

• Dec 15, 2005

• #13

yep. i got a brand new shortblock from chp, rear main leaked.

dont touch it if nothing is wrong. when it starts leaking, youll want to kick your own ass. my garage floor is still pissed for the year of leaking rear main it has sitting on it.

 

8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member

Dec 20, 2004

4,265

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B.C. Canada

Dec 15, 2005

#14

• Dec 15, 2005

• #14

thats a hard one because you are right there but a rear main can last for 10+years before it needs to be changed. just leave it it will be fine.

 

88GTtom

Member

Oct 22, 2003

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Woodbridge NJ

Dec 15, 2005

#15

• Dec 15, 2005

• #15

i say if go with your gut feeling when you look at it. if you dont care about changing it again down the line, then do it. as another point tho, almost everyone has a rear main leak, so maybe you should concider yourself lucky and not ***** with it. i had mine changed and it still leaks, not as bad, but it still does...

 

M

Mark89coupe

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Apr 5, 2005

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Dec 15, 2005

#16

• Dec 15, 2005

• #16

Modular2v said:

if it isnt broke, dont fix it! althought some my refer to that as preventitive maint...

Click to expand...

Amen to that. I did the clutch, tranny this year and didnt change the seal. I t wasnt leaking and I dont want it to