I removed the main rear seal and upon inspection, I notice I scratched the crank. Does it need to be replaced / repaired by removal or can this be fixed when it still is in the engine. Any ideas or suggestions...

Ask your local QUALITY parts store (NAPA is usually good, Autozone ain't gonna cut it) for a Redi-Sleeve... discussed here: http://www.4x4wire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=86;t=002326
The part is essentially a thin, steel shaft cover that builds up the shaft just a bit and provides a new surface for the seal to run on.

Easy fix! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Randii

How bad is the scratch? What engine?

You have a few options. One is to replace the seal and hope it is OK. This may work forever or only a few minuets and then you need to tear it down again.

Another is to find a Speedi-Sleeve or Redi-Sleeve (or equivalent seal surface repair kit). This is a thin metal shell that is driven over the crank seal surface and gives you a brand new surface to work with.

There is probably not a "kit" for your engine, but any good auto parts store should have some universal kits that you can pick according to diameter and width. It is going to run you anywhere from $35 to $75 or so for the sleeve.

The good news is that they work great.

Michael

EDIT: mummble-mummble-mummble-RANDI-mummble-mummble-mummble

<small>[ June 16, 2003, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: mlclark ]</small>

Currently working on a 2.3 to a 2.6 swap. The scratch is on the 2.6... Why does it have to happen when you think you are almost done. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by coldrain:
<strong>Currently working on a 2.3 to a 2.6 swap. The scratch is on the 2.6... Why does it have to happen when you think you are almost done. <img border="0" alt="[Shiner]" title="" src="graemlins/shiner.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">It is not the end of the world and it is a relatively easy fix. There are several worse things that could have happened.

Randii and I chatted about this tonight and he is claiming that his repair kit was way cheaper ($8-range) than what I quoted. It may be an issue of a discontinued part number that is no longer available or ???

Another place to contact is an automotive (or even agricultural) machine shop. They do this stuff all the time.

Don't forget to use Lock-Tite on the flywheel bolts or you will have an oil leak that resembles a rear main seal leak.

Good Luck,
Michael

Not sure about the $8 kit but Speedi-Sleeve is available Canada thru bumper-to-bumper. Called and they do have one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ... sweet. You are right though, a little pricey for what it is but it will save time. Hope to have it running by the weekend. And then... <img border="0" alt="[Drunk]" title="" src="graemlins/drunk.gif" /> . Problably take another week of tweaking to get it where I want it. Thanks again...