1965 Mustang V8-Front seal - need installation advice
I'm going to be replacing the front seal on my 65 V8; I have a leak and I suspect it's the culprit. The leak behavior I'm seeing is oil being flung by the harmonic balancer when the engine is revved up beyond about 3K rpm. It's not an enormous quantity, and everything else in that area seems dry. The engine has been recently rebuilt, so the crankshaft, balancer, timing chain cover, and seal are all brand new. The crank and balancer are both 50oz.
My question is twofold: would you concur that the front seal probably needs to be replaced, and if so, what side of the cover should it installed on? It's currently on the outside of the timing chain cover, facing the harmonic balancer.
Any insight or wisdom you could provide on the leak or installation of a new seal would be greatly appreciated. It's a bit of a task, and I naturally don't want to go through the effort to discover the solution was much simpler. Thanks much!
Well, I've got to take credit for that one :-) When I brought it to the machine shop to get it crimped on, I think I remember us initially trying to put it inside, but the way the inside of the cover was shaped, it didn't look like it would fit. Why would putting it on the inside versus the outside make a difference?
In any case, I feel much more confident burning a day getting things replaced. I'll post my findings and some pictures of course. Any other thoughts/observations is welcome :-)
Sorry, crimped was a poor choice of word. It was pressed on, yes. I'm getting kinda frustrated. I've gone through numerous articles online, the Chilton's manual, and a restoration guide, but none give me definitive answers or details on installation. Chilton's came the closest; they have a shot of the timing chain cover installed, and it definitely looks like the seal is on the inside.
The timing chain cover I'm using is a self-branded one I got from Summit Racing. The engine is a 289 with a 302 stroke, achieved by using a 302 crank from an 80s Mustang.
Thanks for the help; it's hugely appreciated!
Some seals go in from the inside and some from the outside,
It depends on the your particular cover
One thing I have learned in 30 years of working on fords is never ever assume they are all the same. I have a 289 and a 302 in two different cars and one of each type of seal .
I have a 302 in my 1965 Mustang Coupe. I have the same leak, and have replaced everything numerous times with no luck, including resleaving the balancer. I have been told that there is a washer looking device called an oil slinger, and this keeps oil from directly hitting the front seal. I also have heard people say that you don't need this, and that with aftermarket timing chain covers the oil slinger won't fit. I suspect I do not have one as I can't remember putting one in. It has been recommended to me that after it is taken apart and you are ready to put it back together; start the bolts in the timing chain cover, but leave them loose. Then install the harmonic balancer and then tighten the timing chain cover bolts to insure that the harmonic balancer is centered in the seal. I haven't done this yet, and have learned to live with the oil leak for now, but am building a 351W so hopefully my problem will be gone soon. Good Luck with your leak.
Alright, just got done buttoning everything up. What I found when I pulled off the cover was half of the seal chewed away, and the other half untouched. It looks like what happened was the cover was installed a bit off center, causing the crank to rub on one side of the seal, and not make contact on the other. Needless to say, when I put it back on this time, I spent a fair amount of time making sure it was centered. When it's not bolted down, the cover has maybe 1/10th of an inch of wiggle room. When one tightens down the bottom bolt, the cover lurches to one side, causing it to be uneven. Only through a careful process of tightening and precisely placed profanities was I able to get it installed properly.
I also found was the seal was indeed installed from the outside of the timing chain cover. When I brought it to the machine shop to get a new one installed, though, the guy working there was quite adamant about the seal being installed that way. Trusting him, as he hasn't steered me wrong yet, I went with his advice.
I've been able to rev up the engine a couple of times and it seems to be working jes' fine. I prepared a (hopefully) useful slideshow of my findings.
There are quite a few things you show there that were not on the car in 1965. So its not a surprise that your seal might go in from the outside. On the stock, 1965 engine, it went in from the inside. Whether the seal has that outer flange, or not, depends upon who made or sold you the seal. Either type works pretty much the same.
Anyhow, you seem to have found your problem and everything should work better now.
Alright, just got done buttoning everything up. What I found when I pulled off the cover was half of the seal chewed away, and the other half untouched. It looks like what happened was the cover was installed a bit off center, causing the crank to rub on one side of the seal, and not make contact on the other. Needless to say, when I put it back on this time, I spent a fair amount of time making sure it was centered. When it's not bolted down, the cover has maybe 1/10th of an inch of wiggle room. When one tightens down the bottom bolt, the cover lurches to one side, causing it to be uneven. Only through a careful process of tightening and precisely placed profanities was I able to get it installed properly.
I also found was the seal was indeed installed from the outside of the timing chain cover. When I brought it to the machine shop to get a new one installed, though, the guy working there was quite adamant about the seal being installed that way. Trusting him, as he hasn't steered me wrong yet, I went with his advice.
I've been able to rev up the engine a couple of times and it seems to be working jes' fine. I prepared a (hopefully) useful slideshow of my findings.
Hi atraudes, I'm having the same problem as you. I'm getting ready to tear apart my engine for the fourth time. I was curious if you used an oil slinger? I'm guessing that engine ,or at least the timing cover must be from a newer model 5.0 L. engine judging by the look of the seal. Anyway, any more hints about what you did to alleviate the problem would sure help. Thanks, Bubba
I hear ya, bubba. I have had mine apart about 4 times and still no luck. I have given up on stopping that leak. I have replaced seals and gaskets and now think I need to replace everything up front; timing gear/chain assembly, timing chain cover, harmonic balancer, the seal again, and the oil pan. Good Luck.
1965 Mustang V8-Front seal - need installation advice 
