Moparts Tech Archive

Big Block

Rear Main Seal Steps

Hey guys i need the steps to replace the rear main seal on a 383. Right now its sitting in the Bee witha 727 attached. Any help would be appreciated.
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65rbdodge
Moparts Member
Posts: 729
From: moscow pa. u.s.a.
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 07-01-2002 08:38 PM

drain the oil,remove oil pan, you might have to remove the exhaust and/or centerlink to do this. i think its a 3/8 OR 7/16 12pt socket you will need to remove the bolts that hold the aluminum cap that holds the seal in. DO NOT USE A 6pt SOCKET TO REMOVE THESE 2 BOLTS YOU WILL RUIN THEM! pull the cap out, you will see the seal going around the top half of the crank. the other half will be in the cap you just took off. if its a rope seal-i use a long wood screw and screw it into the seal with a screw driver. then get a pair of pliars and grab the head of the screw and pull the seal out. the screw might pull out of the seal first, just screw it back in and try again. if its a rubber seal--just push it up and around the other side of the crank. when you install the new seal make sure you put it in the right way, there will be a diagram with the seal. there are also long skinny seals on both sides of the aluminum cap that will need to be replaced too. good luck! its not that hard.
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northcoastmopar
Moparts Member
Posts: 673
From: Cleveland, Ohio
Registered: May 2001
posted 07-01-2002 09:34 PM

Could be half a day or could be a lot longer depending on how lucky you get.
If you have to soak your side seals in mineral spirits do it fast. They swell very quickly and are then impossible to get in. This then necessitates ANOTHER trip to the parts store on an item they probably don't stock a lot of.

Had to take mine center link and exhaust down (single exhaust). Don't forget two oil pan gaskets if you have a windage tray.
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