Oil leak from rear seal

[jobberone]

Rebuilt 70 Superbee 440 running strong no problems. Rebuilt two years or so ago. No leaking prior to putting the front end pretty high up on stands. Now slow leak in area of rear seal. Question: Can this happen just because the car's front end is jacked up; especially since it hasn't leaked since it was rebuilt. I'm putting a rebuilt tranny in BTW. I don't want to drop the pan and replace the rear seal unless it's going to leak while the car is in the normal horizontal mode. Thanks.

 

[khryslerkid]

It shouldn't do that. Maybe its a small leak that has been accumulating in the bell housing.

Check up on top at your oil pressure switch. When they leak, oil will run down to that area.

 

[sleepar]

It's always a good idea to do the seal leaking or not anytime you're pulling a trans or engine.... it will never be more convenient.... pain that it is.

 

[jobberone]

It's always a good idea to do the seal leaking or not anytime you're pulling a trans or engine.... it will never be more convenient.... pain that it is.

I knew you were going to say that. I ordered a rear seal and a oil pan gasket today.

- - - Updated - - -

Should have put this in the right forum. Mods please move if needed.

 

[sleepar]

Start a new thread 're: can someone talk me out of replacing the notorious rear seal I suspect of leaking because I don't want to believe a rear seal can go bad I 2000 miles... and I will stay out of it :jerk:

 

[jobberone]

No. There was no leaking while the car was sitting normally. It began leaking with the front end way up in the air. But that is just a stress test on the seal. So I replaced it today.

One 12 point bolt was buggered up and after getting the rear seal bearing cap out from under the car my old eyes could see it was broken off some. I don't think it had anything to do with the leaking but the one bolt that was buggered up was not very tight IMO. So that could have caused a problem. I found one from another Mopar guy and he also had two bolts. So we put that back in and I'll button up tomorrow. We'll see if it leaks as I'll leave it standing on its head for a few days and watch for it.

I asked around and one guy put his rebuilt engine upright on the rear in a tub of transmission fluid for quite awhile before checking it and putting it in the car. I thought I'd mention it as it seemed a bit excessive but some may find that interesting. I think standing it upright might be a good test for the seal.

Hopefully I can finish that job and then put the tranny in which was the project.

I may look for a new pan. This one is ok but not great. Anyone got a great pan they wanna loan me?

 

[jobberone]

Ok, the new rear seal(s) I have purchased to not have the vertical gasket strips in them although they show up on the screen as belonging in the parts kit. I've called around and seems at least three stores do not have anything different.

Where can I buy a gasket kit that has the vertical side strips to insert in the rear seal bearing cap? thanks.

 

[coloradodave]

Too late now, but I imagine what happened was that the oil level reached the pan to block area and saturated the gasket. If it didn't leak before then returning the car to horizontal should 'cure' the leak. Personally, with a 2 year old build, I wouldn't have messed with it. As for the guy that stood his motor on end, unless it's a rocket ship or you do 1/4 mile wheelies (for the full 1/4 mile), there's no need.
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Can't help you on the side seals as I use the Mancini seal kit.

 

[jobberone]

Too late now, but I imagine what happened was that the oil level reached the pan to block area and saturated the gasket. If it didn't leak before then returning the car to horizontal should 'cure' the leak. Personally, with a 2 year old build, I wouldn't have messed with it. As for the guy that stood his motor on end, unless it's a rocket ship or you do 1/4 mile wheelies (for the full 1/4 mile), there's no need.
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Can't help you on the side seals as I use the Mancini seal kit.

I told them at the shop it didn't leak before let's put it down and check it. Everyone said replace it. I ordered the Mancini seal kit and should have thought of that first. Kicks self in rear. Thanks for the info. Stored in memory.