New guy needs help! Need Pics of Rear Main

[palposity]

Hey folks,

I'm still a bit new on this forum, but I need to ask a favor. I recently lost an engine in my plow truck (1986 Chevy 350 V8). I found a good deal on a used 350 from another truck of the same year, but when I got it home I realized the rear main was leaking. I've swapped engines out before, but haven't actually gotten inside one yet.

I've done some searching and I see that the procedure is to pull the oil plan, drop the main cap and oil pick up...then drive the seal out. I have the main cap pulled, but I'm afraid to start driving (what I think is) the seal out. Does anyone have any pics of this procedure that they can post up? That would help me a ton. I think I have a 1 piece seal, but I'm not totally sure.

Thanks much!

[Jonboy]

If it is the original engine, it should have a one piece rear main. You need to set the transmission back, remove the flexplate, and replace the seal. You don't have to drop the pan to replace the one piece rear seal.

[STOCKISH]

I agree, one piece seal will pop right out the back with a seal puller (or screwdriver) Just be careful not to scratch up the area that the seal rides on with the seal puller.

[Jonboy]

I just went back and re-read your post. Did you already pull the pan? There is an adapter that bolts around the rear of the crank, that has the rear seal in it. A quick way to tell what you have is the shape of the rear surface of the crank. If it is completely round, it is a one piece rear seal crank. If it is irregularly shaped, it is not. A one piece rear seal will look similar to a transmission rear seal, or a wheel seal (round, with a rubber lip on the inside). A 2 piece seal will be just that, two pieces.

[palposity]

I have not yet installed the replacement engine. It is on an engine stand. I removed the pan and the rear main cap, and pick up. I'm pretty sure it is a once piece...so just tap it out w/ a screwdriver? Okie doke. Thanks.