How hard is it to change a rear main seal on a 86 se 2.8 with a 5 speed getrag and how long does it take. Are there any right up on how to do it step by step, leak getting worse. Thanks alot.

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Before you go tearing into the rear main how sure are you that that's what's leaking.

There are several things that will leak at the rear of the motor, the distributor O-ring, the rear cam plate, the oil pan seal and of course the rear main.

And the trans input shaft or TC seal depending what trans is installed.

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It looks like it is comming from between the transmission because the drips are actually on the bottom of the tranny and its not the distibuter o-ring. I have the 5 speed getrag.

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Changing the rear main is easy and doesn`t take any time at all, its getting to it that does. Do you want to leave the engine in the car and pull the trans ? Or drop the cradle ? Is there anything else you would like to do if the cradle was out f the car ? If so , this would be the time to do it. In either case , you carefully dig/pull out the old one, clean the area, then get smal piece of pvc pipe that is the same diameter as the seal, set it in place, and give it a whack--your done. Again thats the easiest less time consuming part of it--its the getting the other stuff out of your way to get at it.

Quote from 3.4L pushrod Swap (lots of pics)

Here's some pics on replacing the rear main seal. The more over 50,000 miles the more you should want to replace it. You should anyway if you have the engine out since it is cheap and easy to do now than a PITA later.

The old 'Rear Main Seal'


The new one


To get the old one out push a screwdriver into the rubber seal and under the metal lip. Then carefully pry it out, my came right out with any problems, easily.


The Rear Main Seal removed


and the old one, out


The new one in. It came with a shoe horn type of install tool with it


I used a piece of wood to tap the new one down

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OK, if you're sure it's coming from the back of the motor I would suggest making a support for the motor and dropping the cradle, then remove the tranny, clutch and flywheel.

As long as you're there I would think about re-doing the flywheel and clutch.

Once the back of the motor is exposed do the rear main and also do the cam plate gasket as it is most likely leaking as well.

Be very careful when removing the rear main seal that you don't scratch the surface of the crank where the seal contacts it.

quote Originally posted by fierohoho: Before you go tearing into the rear main how sure are you that that's what's leaking. There are several things that will leak at the rear of the motor, the distributor O-ring, the rear cam plate, the oil pan seal and of course the rear main.

were is the rear cam plate?

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I think my car is leaking from the rear main as well. There is oil EVERYWHERE

The rear cam plate is directly above the rear main seal on the back of the block, it's triangular in shape and held in by 3 bolts.

Rear cam plate is behind the transmission and flywheel, just above the rear main. For either one, you're pulling the transmission and all that. Might as well do both while you're in there. I'm going to do my clutch too and kill 3 birds with one stone.

Well, since no one posted a pic I'll do it. Here's a typical cam cover plate leaker. Like stated, the cover plate is the one with three bolts above the crank.

Might as well do the clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing too while you're in there.

I ve decided to wate its not leaking to bad and I dont have time to do it myself right now and sure dont have 700 to a 1000 dollars to have it done. Thanks for all the help.

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You could also dump in some high mileage oil to swell it a bit , until you get time to replace the seal. I was suprised on my sons 86GT , that it stopped the blow by on start up allmost completey, & I`m not a believer in additives....