Just being a dumb a__

[Labrauer]

:(I have a 48 Plymouth Coupe that the rear main seal is leaking in so I decided to change it which I thought would be a somewhat a simple job. I not nowing what old car I was working with and being used to doing the more modern cars tried to pull the transmission off the engine insted of pulling the rear of the tranny off. Couldn't for the life of me figure out why it wouldn't come off the engine. Took all the bolts out of the bell housing from the engine and still would't move. I looked at all the threads on replacing the Main oil seal and did I see no where that you have to pull the rear of the tranny off and the clutch plate and clutch before you can get to the bolts on the flywheel. Then you can remove the bell housing if needed. On a automatic transmission that is the way you do it so being the dumb a__ that I am I found out from Goerge today that I went about it all wrong so I guess tommorrow I will put all the bolts back in the bell housing and the engine and start all over with the right way to disasimble and replace the main seal. After talking to George I feel like a real dumb a__. What a stupid mistake. I mean after all I have only changed one three speed standered tranny and it was in a front wheel drive dodge colt years ago. Let me tell you it is hell getting the two top bolts out of the bell housing with the engine in the car. I am not looking forward to putting them back in.

Larry

Edited June 14, 2012 by Labrauer

[Frank Elder]

Look at it this way....your escapade has become a what not to do on the internet. I am sure it will help many other people to not make the same mistake.

[Andydodge]

Larry........would suggest you get a Workshop or Service Manual........there are a couple of different rear main seals used and from personal experience don't necessarily believe that what you SHOULD have is what you actually have in the car. If its a rope seal then its possible to do it by draining & dropping the engine sump to access the rear main cap. But if its a neoprene seal then this way only allows access to the lower half of the seal so everything up to & including the flywheel has to be removed........get the book & have a good read........lol..........andyd