Rear main seal..replace or not

[Kalex]

Hi All,

Just wanted any/all thoughts on replacing my rear main seal. Best I know and can tell it is not leaking. No oil on the floor or any needed between changes. The attached pics are just after I removed the C4 and wiped it with a dry paper towel, but no cleaning at all so that is pretty much what things look like. After wrestling that transmission out I am in that "do it while your there" mode, but with the way parts quality seem to be so hit or miss these days I don't want to create a problem where I currently don't have one. 1996 mustang motor, aprrox. 50,000 miles. I was thinking of something like this:

https://accufabracing.com/product/ford-rear-main-seal-cover/

In the hopes that the seal is of better quality than just a regular fel-pro or something. I also like not having to use rtv of any sort so future maintenance isn't as involved with removal/cleaning. Don't care anything about the shiny factor so that's doesn't matter. Just would hate to get my transmission back in, exhaust, etc..and have to remove it all again. Any thoughts, opinions, options would be welcome. Leave well enough alone does work, just trying to stay ahead of things. Thanks and here's to a great summer of using these Bronco's.

 

[spap]

It’s me , but for 25 bucks cheap insurance To replace it.

 

[jeffncs]

Reading the details of your engine (50k miles), I don’t think I’d touch it. I have 200k on my 302 and didn’t even think about…. Now I’m thinking about it but it’s a PIA job b/c you have to drop the crank 1/16-1/8” to not damage the seal.

I didn’t loosen the main bolts last time and made a small leak a big leak.

If you’re taking off the oil pan, now you need to think about the oil pump…then do you change the timing chain?? Scope creep.

Just an opinion…worth what you paid for it!

 

[jeffncs]

Adding - just researched and noticed jts a 1-piece seal… tough call. For $25, I’d do it now.

 

[EPB72]

I’ve never had to replace a rear main seal on a 4.6 or 5.4 ever… they always are dry during trans/ clutch removal.. getting that retainer plate reinstalled without pulling oil pan will be tricky if not impossible without popping out the spring on the seal,,

 

[Kalex]

Thanks all for the replies and this is exactly what I was looking for. I am thinking of just leaving well enough alone. If I had any sort of leak or problem then it would be a no brainer, but prior to removing the transmission everything was fine in that department. Apparently there is seal made by someone(I think Fel-pro) that has a plastic ring the helps with the install and then you remove the ring once the seal is seated. I think it helps keep the spring in place and the lip from curling under. That's also why I was thinking of going with the Accufab part I posted as you replace the whole plate and the seal is already installed(really just hoping it's a higher quality seal).