I've seen several posts and the stickies on this seal replacement but I'm still trying to get confirmation on a couple of things.

1a. I have a seal with rubber OD so do I use soapy water when I install it?
1b. If so what should the soap solution mixture be? I read somewhere about 50/50. Does this sound about right?
1c. How much solution? I'm guessing very little but just want confirmation. Would it be like dipping your finger in the solution and just running it around the seal a time or two?

2. Is brake cleaner acceptable to clean crankshaft and housing before install?

3. Will a long wait between installing the seal and installing/running the engine damage the seal? I'm a slow worker so 1 or 2 weeks might not be out of the question before I get it running again.

4. Should I fill the engine with oil before I put it in the truck? Someone mentioned sloshing possibly damaging the seal so I was wondering if I should wait until after the engine is back in the truck. See #3 since it might also be awhile with no oil. Would that affect the seal when I eventually fire it up?

Hope that's not too long winded.
Thanks,
Darin

 

no to 1abc yes to 2 , no to 3 i fill the engine after install. im no expert, but done maybe a dozen cummins rear mains. never a problem.

 

hey-Hey!!!,
From the 'paranoid camp'...I'd do the seal right before you fire it up. There is lots ov room back there w/o the trans and the motor will run just fine without the trans( otherwise tied down with front motor mounts and suitable support). I did mine when the new clutch and flywheel got done and it was quite easy.
cheers,
Douglas