Front Crank Seal Leak

I have just bought a 1983 SWB County Series 3, I have found a weap/leak from the front crank seal (??), several drips when I switch the engine off. It mut be weeping whilst driving as the sump & gearbox cross member have a smearing of oil over them. It doesn't appear to be loosing too much oil, but I know at some point I'm going to have to change the seal. From the manuals and webpages it's difficult to see the seal in a diagram to establish how difficult the job is to change the seal, can anyone help.......

ap73 said:

From the manuals and webpages it's difficult to see the seal in a diagram to establish how difficult the job is to change the seal, can anyone help.......

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Have you tried the search facility?.It's not too difficult when compared to replacing the rear crank seal, but getting the starter dog nut off can be a challenge. Can be done with just removing the front grille.

Once you have the front crank pully of you then need to take the front cover off if it's a 2.25 3 bearing crank engine as the seal is held in with rivets. they need to be drilled out and the seal can then be pushed out from inside. push the rivets out ( 8 of them) replace the seal ( easy enough job) then replace the cover plate. Some people put the cover plate back on with self tappers but I prefer to drill and tap the front cover and replace the rivets with screws.It makes a neater job and the screws are less likely to leak. Self tappers have quite a course thread and oil can creep out easily.

or you can leave shield in place and just change seal that way you dont have to remove rivets ,unless already has screws in it

to rekindle an old thread - my front seal is leaking too and it has a riveted mudshield (3mb)

does the front cover come off ok? do i need to drain oil and remove sump? do i just need a timing cover gasket and front crank seal to do the job (as well as tapping and machine screwing mudshield back on that is)

thanks all

joe27979 said:

to rekindle an old thread - my front seal is leaking too and it has a riveted mudshield (3mb)

does the front cover come off ok? do i need to drain oil and remove sump? do i just need a timing cover gasket and front crank seal to do the job (as well as tapping and machine screwing mudshield back on that is)

thanks all

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no need to drain oil ,just seal and gasket and water pump gasket

thanks James-sump pan stays intact then?

what shall I check in timing gear while cover is off?

thanks again

joe27979 said:

thanks James-sump pan stays intact then?

what shall I check in timing gear while cover is off?

thanks again

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there are bolts from front of sump through in to front cover,you could check chain and guide

Hi, i did mine last month, all went very well and it took about 1 1/2 hours. didn't take off front cover, chiselled off the rivets with a very sharp, short chisel and used self tappers to replace the cover plate. Driving the seal in was harder than anticipated. No leak now, it was dreadful before.

ciderman said:

Hi, i did mine last month, all went very well and it took about 1 1/2 hours. didn't take off front cover, chiselled off the rivets with a very sharp, short chisel and used self tappers to replace the cover plate. Driving the seal in was harder than anticipated. No leak now, it was dreadful before.

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what about the middle bits of rivets-did they fall in timing case?

also-if I do take off front cover I presume oil level is only as far as sump pan height?

joe27979 said:

what about the middle bits of rivets-did they fall in timing case?

also-if I do take off front cover I presume oil level is only as far as sump pan height?

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half way up sump

jamesmartin said:

half way up sump

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cheers James

Out of interest, does the 5mb also have the seal cover riveted in from factory or is it a different arrangement?

same screws (ab606021l)

jamesmartin said:

same screws (ab606021l)

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So if I change my seal in my 5mb I should find screws there from factory fit and the timing case cover not need to be removed to replace the seal?

Land Raver said:

So if I change my seal in my 5mb I should find screws there from factory fit and the timing case cover not need to be removed to replace the seal?

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i think i would want to remove timing cover to replace seal

jamesmartin said:

i think i would want to remove timing cover to replace seal

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Ok, thanks James.

The ends of the rivets stayed obligingly in place. perhaps i was lucky!
i panicked about the job for weeks then with a mate it wasnt too painful. but it could have been. Just do it. It won't get better.......

the said beast:

are these all the parts I might need guys?