Thread: Rear Main Seal Catastrophic Failure - Rebuilding Engine

So, my RMS decided to give out completely as I was going down the road yesterday. By the time the idiot light came on, it was already too late - the damage had been done. The oil was leaking in a steady stream.

The engine now tries to die whenever I slow down - dropping to 150 - 200 RPM. I believe this is being caused by damage done to the journal bearings, and in turn to the crankshaft. That being said, I am going to have to replace the whole lot of it before I can drive the car again.

My question to you guys is this:

Is there anything else I should replace while I have the engine apart? The car is at 102,000 miles.

Also, are there any performance mods you guys can think of doing to the engine while I have it apart? I was thinking about stroking the crank, shouldn't be too much more work since I already likely have to replace it.

Any other advice/potential diagnosis would be appreciated.

Find yourself a used motor for $400-700 and drop it in. Not worth rebuilding the bottom end on these cars unless you have the proper ($$) machine shop work done to it. If you do the bottom end yourself you may very likely end up with a 100-mile motor before it eats itself again even with all new parts.

Originally Posted by CNorell145

Another question -

If I wanted to just replace the RMS and the crankshaft... Can this be done from underneath the car, our would the whole engine have to be pulled? Has anyone attempted this?

Thanks in advance

Chances are that if the engine was starved for oil, the crankshaft will not be the ONLY damage, which means the entire engine assembly needs to be disassembled, and inspected, and worn parts be replaced, but rebuilding an engine is not just replacing parts, it involves enough to write an entire book, so, if your not experienced at rebuilding engines, don't do it.

You have to pull the whole motor as the block has to be align bored and checked over before installing new main bearings.

Just to chime in..... (probably shouldn't try this)...When I blew motor #2 I pulled out a running junk yard L36. It ran fine before I pulled it but I tore it down anyway. I just didn't like how the bearings looked so I did new rod bearings, new mains and new rings. I had the service manual alongside me and followed all limitations. The motor is by no means blue printed, but I hit 3500 miles today. Motor is top swapped and the only modification to the long block is 105 springs. I am very happy with my ticking time bomb so far.

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X2

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^^^that's what killed my L67.

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