I vote with Bill! :-)
Change the Valve Cover Gaskets and use RTV on clean grease-'free surfaces.
Don't overtorque the bolts either, the RTV will seal it up. :-)

Did you clean up the engine so you can see any possible leaks?

I remember ripping an upper rear main seal half when installing one too! It
happens, but it makes you more careful on the next ones. lol
later,
dave
82 FSJ 360 auto
88 FSJ-GW 360 auto (Alive Again)
88 XJ 4.0 auto

----- Original Message -----
From: "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net>
> Will you replace the valve cover gasket?


>
> s0eebuch wrote:
> >
> > Guys,

snip

> >
> > Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
> > the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
> > whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
> > I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.

 

I have the same deal on a 90 GW. I haven't tore into it yet. A mech told
me that it could be changed without dropping the crank. Did you have room
to move/remove the oil pan with the engine and all still in place? Did you
drop the entire crank? Is this something that I could do in the driveway?
I agree about the crossover pipe being in a bad place but at least it lets
you know when you have a leak. How did you come out with the leak?

Good Luck,
Harold



s0eebuch <s0eebuch@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:930fbd48.0308311134.3ae69455@posting.google.c om...
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

I have the same deal on a 90 GW. I haven't tore into it yet. A mech told
me that it could be changed without dropping the crank. Did you have room
to move/remove the oil pan with the engine and all still in place? Did you
drop the entire crank? Is this something that I could do in the driveway?
I agree about the crossover pipe being in a bad place but at least it lets
you know when you have a leak. How did you come out with the leak?

Good Luck,
Harold



s0eebuch <s0eebuch@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:930fbd48.0308311134.3ae69455@posting.google.c om...
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

Everyone,

Sorry about not posting sooner, but thanks again for all the great
advice. Here's the latest update: I had to let the Jeep sit for
about 2 weeks while gone on business. While gone, I kept wondering
why it only leaks while driving. If it idles, no leaks. So, what was
the problem? I decided the next weekend to put in a new oil pan,
replace the pan seals, recheck the torque on the rear main bearing,
ect. Basically, I was going to recheck all my work, and I was NOT
looking forward to doing all that again (Side: Does the exhaust on
the driver's side need to be removed to access the rear oil pan
bolts?) Anyways, I also decided to replace the dipstick tube, since it
had rusted through. At no point did I make the connection with the
busted dipstick tube and the leaking 'rear main seal'.

Well, I replaced the dipstick tube first ($10 part from the dealer!).
Then, just for fun, I decided to take the beast for one more spin
before I tore into the oil pan. I figured it'd be the last trip for a
while. Well, guess what? The leak was gone!

The only thing I can figure is, my leak was coming from the busted
dipstick tube, getting blown across the back of the engine, and
running down around the bellhousing, looking like a leaking rear main.
I'm just glad I didn't have to do that rear main again!

Anways, thanks for all the help. Next step is getting my 4-wheel
engagement vaccumm motor to work. Crawling under the jeep to switch
into 4x4 sux.

s0eebuch

 

Everyone,

Sorry about not posting sooner, but thanks again for all the great
advice. Here's the latest update: I had to let the Jeep sit for
about 2 weeks while gone on business. While gone, I kept wondering
why it only leaks while driving. If it idles, no leaks. So, what was
the problem? I decided the next weekend to put in a new oil pan,
replace the pan seals, recheck the torque on the rear main bearing,
ect. Basically, I was going to recheck all my work, and I was NOT
looking forward to doing all that again (Side: Does the exhaust on
the driver's side need to be removed to access the rear oil pan
bolts?) Anyways, I also decided to replace the dipstick tube, since it
had rusted through. At no point did I make the connection with the
busted dipstick tube and the leaking 'rear main seal'.

Well, I replaced the dipstick tube first ($10 part from the dealer!).
Then, just for fun, I decided to take the beast for one more spin
before I tore into the oil pan. I figured it'd be the last trip for a
while. Well, guess what? The leak was gone!

The only thing I can figure is, my leak was coming from the busted
dipstick tube, getting blown across the back of the engine, and
running down around the bellhousing, looking like a leaking rear main.
I'm just glad I didn't have to do that rear main again!

Anways, thanks for all the help. Next step is getting my 4-wheel
engagement vaccumm motor to work. Crawling under the jeep to switch
into 4x4 sux.

s0eebuch

 

s0eebuch did pass the time by typing:
> Everyone,

> Well, I replaced the dipstick tube first ($10 part from the dealer!).
> Then, just for fun, I decided to take the beast for one more spin
> before I tore into the oil pan. I figured it'd be the last trip for a
> while. Well, guess what? The leak was gone!

Glad to hear that it was just a small problem.

The other leak spot is the valve cover. It does a very good impersonation
of a leaking rear main seal.

--
DougW

 

s0eebuch did pass the time by typing:
> Everyone,

> Well, I replaced the dipstick tube first ($10 part from the dealer!).
> Then, just for fun, I decided to take the beast for one more spin
> before I tore into the oil pan. I figured it'd be the last trip for a
> while. Well, guess what? The leak was gone!

Glad to hear that it was just a small problem.

The other leak spot is the valve cover. It does a very good impersonation
of a leaking rear main seal.

--
DougW