The 'E' Type Forum

Having completely stripped my V12 I am ready to start rebuilding it but I have a question about fitting the rear crankshaft oil seal.
I have read about the difficulty and obvious importance of getting this right first time but if I use the correct pre-sizing tool and the specified grease on installation is this something I can do myself for the first time or is it tricky even with the correct tool?
Is there still a knack to the process even using this tool which would necessitate me having to take the block to an expert for them to do? I obviously do not want to take the risk of this not working and finding out only once the engine is back in the car but if it is relatively straightforward using the pre-sizing tool then I would rather try it myself.

Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated.

Anthony
Take it to an expert.

My story...... My S3 had been parked up for 15 years or so in California, so all the gaskets and seals had dried out. I wanted to put a few miles on the car before having the engine stripped to inspect and replace bits, but it was quite alarming to have smoke wafting out of the louvers every time I stopped. That's the rear crankshaft oil seal gone...drips oil onto the exhaust.

The chap (Brian) who did my engine was a Jaguar apprentice in the 1950s....he ran Aston Martin and Ferrari workshops, and knew his stuff. He was a 6 cylinder Jag engine man at heart, and didn't like the V12s much, but as this was a simple strip and re-gasket, and a few other bits, he agreed to do it. I was the tea boy and cleaner-upper, but allowed to assemble some of the more simple sub-assemblies! He had a unit next to a V12 Jag specialist, so all the correct tools were to hand and were used.

When it came to doing the oil seal, he took pride in showing me how it was done. Too little 'sizing', and the seal would burn and leak oil. Too much, and it would leak oil. I wasn't allowed to go near it.

A few days later, I took the car for it's first drive of 100 miles or so, and upon stopping, the smoke started to rise from the louvers...the seal hadn't been sized properly. Brian was beside himself...he'd never had an engine go wrong in 40 years. A couple of his V12 buddies were called in, and they gave Brian that knowing smile....you have to have done it a few times to get it right.

From drive in to drive out, it takes over 60 hours to replace the seal...and that seal costs less than ?10. It is about the most soul destroying job to do on a V12 Jag, especially when you've just done it, and apparently, you're as likely to get it wrong as you are to get it right the first couple of times.

Are you going to have a go?!

Thanks Mark,

No, I don't think I will from the story you tell. It just simply isn't worth it.
I will contact a chap in Dorset who has been rebuilding these engines since they were produced.
I do like to do most things myself or at least be shown how to do things so if he is prepared to allow it I would like him to fit the seal in my presence. It is just so difficult to move my block to my car at the moment because of obstructions in front of my garage, meaning I have to take it through my house and therefore carry it.
Thanks again Mark. I'll let you know how I get on.