so I think I'm going to leave the oil leaks for now, primarily because they're slow enough that they aren't a pressing concern and it will be a crapton of trouble to replace the rear main seal and oil pan gasket the only problem is the oil is dripping on the exhaust and causing that delightful burning oil smell which I cannot stand. so I'm thinking of making some sort of shield to keep the oil from dripping on the exhaust. I'm thinking of something involving a metal funnel plus a bit of hose to redirect the oil drips and some wire or something to hold it in place. anyone have any thoughts? any better ideas?

 

Dude......Wake up early on a Saturday and get r done. The rear main and oil pan gasket is good to do together. I would buy me an oil pump and pickup and throw one on while I'm down there. Look man.....You got this truck and you want to work on it yourself. My advice is to not be afraid to bust into her and get it done right. Your gonna spend all this time trying to rig up something cute and its still gonna make a mess some other way, may be more dangerous, and will fail eventually or will have to be maintained. I know it seems huge but all you got to do is take the tranny down that alone may give you access to the oil pan alone (can't remember offhand but it will make it a ton easier) and the rear main is right there. Then just bolt her back up. Take your time and go slow. You can't really screw up because you got all these guys in here man. Besides.....I've seen some of your other posts and you take pretty mean pics. There is no way your gonna mess up.

 

I'd have to agree - you're a stickler for details, you do everything by the book, and this just doesn't sound like you. A lot of guys do this without even dropping the tranny - some unbolt the motor mounts and raise the motor a few inches to make some room, but it's not beyond your ability either way.

wp is right - while you're at it, do the oil pump and save yourself a revisit.

You've done a lot of work on that truck - if you're getting tired of the bloody knuckles and sore back, just have a beer, let her leak for awhile, and come back fresh another day. Maybe after turkey day, maybe after New Years, maybe next spring...

Burnt oil smell was a factory option on these trucks!

 

heh I'm not afraid of the work... though I'm not sure if that's good work ethic or ignorance I just don't have the hardware to do something of that magnitude (no engine hoist or tranny jack) and I can't afford to get this thing apart and hit a snag... it's my daily driver, I can't have it out of commission if anyone in the area has the know-how and an engine hoist or tranny jack, I'd be glad to provide the elbow grease and beer though the oil pump does sound like a great idea, probably a needful thing too considering the condition of the oil when I got the truck

 

I hear ya on the daily driver thing. If mine were my daily driver I probably would never work again, be homeless, divorced, and have really sore feet! My wife and I each have a vehicle and the truck is the extra. Believe me I understand. You may want to wait for a time when you have like 3 days in a row off. As far as tools, man you don't need no engine hoist. This is backyard shadetree mechanics brother, you need a hydraulic jack, maybe 2, sockets, extensions, good patience, and beer. Good luck man, your in good hands with these guys here!

 

Hi exec. Having some more fun I see, eh ? Listen brother, these guys are telling you right. Don't RUBE GOLDBERG this thing. Do it right, do it once and FUGGHEDDABOUDT it ! This is one more problem you will have out of the way. Be sure to install a new oil pump. I would suggest blueprinting the new pump, deburr it, etc. Best of luck to you.....Ernie

 

Haven't done the rear main myself, but I recently did my oil pan gasket, and it only took me the morning to finish it. Just jacked the engine up a little, put some blocks between it and the mounts and let it rest on them. Then unbolted the pan, lowered it a little, and fished in the new gasket (drained the pan first). Really nothing too difficult about it. Just a messy job. Give yourself a day to do it and a lot of rags and it should be cake.

 

yeah I'm not too worried about the oil pan gasket but the rear main will be a bit more involved not to mention don't you n eed a special seal driver for it?