WildmaN

Okay..after I did my compression test. And know my engine has lots of miles left on it. I am thinking about changing out my front seal. (On my '82 N/A T-top) To solve my oil leak problem. Because I am going through almost 2 quarts a week. Just going to work and back. How do I go about doing this? And how long would it take me do you think? Am I able to do it..without taking the oil pan off? Like taking the crankshaft pulley off. To get to it? And is a Saturday enough time to change it out? Anyway any input or tips would be greatly appreciated. And thanks ahead of time.

NismoPick

You'll need to remove the lower radiator fan shroud, all fan belts, and use (I think) a 27MM socket to remove the crank bolt. Then use a rubber mallet to massage off the crank pulley. If that doesn't work, you'll have to use a pulley puller, and to make room you'll likely have to pull the radiator.

After the pulley is off, use a screwdriver to pry out the seal, and pop in the new one. Use a rubber mallet to make sure it's fully seated.

I dunno how long it will take you... that depends on how fast you work.

duowing

That sounds pretty dang easy, especially since I have a puller, had to get one to remove the harmonic balancer along time ago on my old 85' Z31 when we did the timing belt.

snwbrderphat540

it is easy EXCEPT for taking off the pulley. it can get stuck on there tight and also be careful you dont do what i did and accidentally puncture your radiator its a tight fit. other wise its VERY easy. when i did it my second time it took me 15 minutes because the pulley wasn't seized on there since i had already removed it. and make sure the Key is still in the crank shaft other wise the pulley will spin off every 3 minutes of running lol. i should know when my pulley had a broken notch allowing the key to fly out threw it when spinning.

NismoPick

15 minutes? hehe... that's like the one minute man... or the one pump chump... or the... well... you get the idea...

WildmaN

Okay..well it doesn't sound too bad then. Thanks for the input guys. I feel confident..that I can tackle it this Saturday. Anything else you guys come up with. Feel free to post it here. And thanks again..

KasbeKZ

don't scratch the crank where it meets the seal! and make sure the seal is seated properly. it can be deceiving.

Niku-Sama

is the bolt on the crank reverse threaded?

NismoPick

Nope.......

duowing

Big *** wrench, make sure it' in the ground or against something so it can't turn, give the starter a quick bump or two. That's a super easy way to do it. Especially if you don't have an impact on hand.

WildmaN

Well as luck would have it. Autozone didn't have it in stock. I have to special order it. Oh well....hopefully another parts place has it in stock. Otherwise it may be next weekend. That I try and change it out.

NismoPick

The front seal usually comes in the timing cover gasket kit. I had to buy one several weeks ago for my rebuild. Autozone doesn't stock them in store, but they are the cheapest... so I printed it out online, took it to Checker (who does have it in stock) and they beat the price by 5%. So the whole kit was $6.

WildmaN

^Thanks man...I will probably go to Checker then sometime this week. And maybe work on it this coming weekend. Thanks again everybody for your help..you all rock!!

snwbrderphat540

my autozone got it in 2 days for me no extra charge. but autozone is a piece of **** use them only to buy fluids and other products that aren't in their name in any way if its a good price and for the free alternator/bat/starter testing services. otherwise get your parts from a NAPA or similar.

NismoPick

pft.... NAPA boy.

snwbrderphat540

go on, try to tell me autozone makes quality anything. honestly the best parts are dealership parts, BUT, they are ridiculously expensive so a place like NAPA and carquest that carry quality lines and make quality parts are where to go. why do you think so many shops have the NAPA banners outside. only thing acceptable.

NismoPick

Oh I agree... for the most part (NAPA is usually the most expensive for parts). As for gaskets... NAPA, Checker / Kragen, Autozone... they all sell the same damn Felpro kits.

snwbrderphat540

autozone seems to be not using felpro as much i noticed or the shitty like cork gaskets for the VC and oil pan which pissed me off when i got one. also for oil seal felpro doesnt make em as far as i know NAPA uses SFK or something i believe mine was from autozone i forget which company but working at NAPA i get like half off all parts that are behind teh counter... so basically the expensive stuff haha

WildmaN

Okay...I changed my mind about this. Even though I am going through a quart of oil every 2 days. I am going to diligently work on my slicktop. And just keep my T-top running daily. So when I put him down. I can replace the things on the engine while it's out of the car. My plan is...to fix up the engine in my daily. After I park him. And then paint it..and install it in my '83 280zx. And do a little fixing and sprucing here and there. And then sell it. That way it can help me out financially.

snwbrderphat540

thats a dangerously fast loss of oil and if your driving it alot i would just change he seal before an accident happens

WildmaN

Okay...so I underestimated my oil leakage. It is still above the add mark. And I put a quart in Monday. So maybe every couple of days. It goes through a quart. And then the problem is. I drive him like 56 miles everyday. And I have a feeling..it is more than the front seal. I think it is more than that. It is hard to pinpoint. While it is in the car. So that is why I am going to diligently work on my slicktop.

snwbrderphat540

no thats average front seal leak can you see the leak? cause when those things leak they leak quik but not really unless the engines running.

Mhinrichs

I just changed the front seal in a 1985 mazda 626. It wasn't easy. But it wasn't hard. Just alot a **** to remove on that car. Yours should be simple. Take off the pully pry out the seal and insert the new one. Be sure to grease the inside lip, or it will burn right back out.