NoVector

Hi all -
How do you remove the front crank seal--the metal kind? I have one on the GTS... Searched the old Rennlist post and all I could find was the non-metal kind. On Pelican, I found a post suggesting dental picks. After an hour of that this evening, I'm still getting no where. Someone also suggested putting a crimp in it with a screwdriver and a hammer. I'm willing to try that, but I'm kind of afraid it'd scratch the crank.

I've considered drilling a couple small holes at the 12, 4 and 8 o-clock positions and putting screws or something to "hook" it, but I'm thinking the metal shavings would then go in the engine. Is there a right way to do this?

Thanks! / Bruce

Mrmerlin

to remove the main seal there is a slot in the side of the sealing bore simply drive a screwdriver into the side of the seal and pry it out.
Warning dont hammer too hard you dont want to drive the screwdriver into the crank sealing area .
Also dress down the ridge so the seal bore is smooth you can put something under the screwdriver so it wont be using the bottom of the slot as a fulcrum then you wont damage the bore

JHowell37

I don't know about the GTS block, but I know that the earlier 32 valve engines had a small notch cut out so you could go at the seal from the side. On mine, I used a small screwdriver and a few light taps with a hammer to knock it out. Most seals are metal. Some are just dipped in rubber.

NoVector

Ahhhh. So the idea is to drive the screwdriver into the side of the seal to pry it out. From the pictures on the internet, it looked like they were rubber (like the oil pump seal) and they were gouged out. Looks like kind of a crappy angle to get a screwdriver and a hammer down there, but.... I'm going in!

Thanks guys!
Bruce

davek9

If it was ever replaced before and the PO used any type of "glue" like Yamabond(?) they can be a bitch to get out. I have used the drilling method (to put a screw in the seal) more than once w/o any issues, just clean up the area and you will be OK.
FYI.. the Front Main Seal is installed Flush w/the block, the Rear Main Seal is seated all the way in.

Here is a pic of a cam seal, stay away from the shaft when drilling and keep the drill straight using easy pressure just go in to the seal, not the block

Good luck!!!

edit: photo added

Jerry Feather

This is the simplist way to do it. Glue or no glue, this is the way to remove the seal!!!!!!!