How deep does the rear main seal go into the rear main cap and block?
Shouldn't it go all the way down, flat against the cap and block?
Or, flush with the outside of the cap and block.
I can't find any info in the Rave on installation.
Oil pan is on, and I have the seal in flush with the outside of the cap and block.
I've done several rear main seals over the years, but the design of this one is very different, given it's depth, as well as the current gap between the back of the seal and the cap and block.
When I removed the engine, the rear main seal was flush to the outside of the block and cap, but cocked at an angle, and sticking out alot at the top(obviously installed incorrectly, and left that way, or it walked out).
So I am unsure what the correct depth of the seal really is.
Once I put the flywheel on, it should be ready to go back in the truck.
I'm just looking for any advice before doing so, as now is the time to fix anything. AND, I really want to see how long this thing will run before leaking anywhere, lol.
Thanks

 

No one has replaced a rear main seal in a 4.6?

 

I feel for you. Is there a lip inside that would make you think it should stick out? Look at the crank and see where the old rub mark is from the factory seal.

 

No old marks, assuming because old seal was in at a bad angle, and no way it was installed right to start with.
No lip, just a very strange design, and nothing to confirm the seal's depth.
The BritPart seal is so tight, it sheared some of the coating off the external edge(which should be ok).
It's now flush, and has a solid sound when tapping it now, as if it has bottomed out.
I would think it's correct, only this leaves a near 2 inch gap behind the seal, before it would contact the rear cap.
The mounting point on the end of the crank for the flywheel is much bigger in diameter than the shaft coming through the bearing.
The new seal is the same as the one that came out too.
It's as if there should be a big pocket of oil doing nothing (other than trying to leak)behind the seal.
I've griped about a few simple LR issues before, but this one does it. Makes no sense...and apparently LR doesn't know either, or they would have shown how to install it, other than, "use seal driver #xxxx"
This is a huge deal, because I'm not having this pos **** oil everywhere on start up.

 

Check out this thread -- Looks like there are a few pics of main seals

Complete Rebuild

 

That had a perfect picture!
Mine is in correctly, as I thought, but it is such a bad design to have so much space behind it.
Thanks for finding that!
It was exectly what I was hoping to see.
Now to put the flywheel on.

 

Anytime dude'r!