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Is it possible to replace a Two-Piece Rear Main crankshaft seal on a '79 C3 SBC without pulling the engine? Manual tranny, bell-housing, clutch and flywheel have been removed. Can the oil pan be dropped without pulling the engine?
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Yes. The oil pan can be dropped by disconnecting the steering idler arm, and pitman arm, and let the steeering linkage drop down. To replace the main seal you will need to loosen (but NOT remove!) all of the main cap bolts to allow the crank to drop just a bit to give some clearance to remove and replace the main seal pieces. Be sure to retorque the main caps bolts properly, and make sure the ends of the main seal are NOT lined up with the split at the rear main cap...the seal needs to be off-set a little to keep it from leaking there.
Joel Adams
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Had to do that job on "BLKBRRD" (twice!). Dropping the crank a touch made the task a lot easier. Good luck...!!!
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
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Honestly, I just removed the rear main cap and was able to pull the old seal out and push the new upper half in.
You can also get a seal that has a slightly offset lip in case your old seal has worn a groove in the crank.
Dropping the crank though sounds like a better way to do it.
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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