Rear main seal replacement

[74 challenge]

Can it be done without removing engine? What seal is the best?

[Killer_Mopar]

Big block or small block? stock oil pan or aftermarket?

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes it can be done with the engine in the car , not easy but it can be done

[74 challenge]

Big block or small block? stock oil pan or aftermarket?

Small block, stock oil pan, long tube headers.

Wasn't really thinking when I posted haha.

It's basically unbolt exhaust, unbolt oil pan, unbolt oil pump, unbolt rear main cap, slide old gasket out?

[Chryco Psycho]

You also have to remove the center steering link , & remove the main cap which will need to be retorqued , no gasket except the oil pan , the main  cap once removed has the seal inside , the lower seal is easily replaced , the upper has to be slide in around the crank , you will also have to remove the oil pump & refit the pump onto the dist drive once the cap is retorqued

[74 challenge]

You also have to remove the center steering link , & remove the main cap which will need to be retorqued , no gasket except the oil pan , the main  cap once removed has the seal inside , the lower seal is easily replaced , the upper has to be slide in around the crank , you will also have to remove the oil pump & refit the pump onto the dist drive once the cap is retorqued

Took a quick look under the car and you sir are correct!

How hard is it to refit the pump onto the distributor drive? This shouldn't affect the timing at all.

When replacing the top portion of the gasket I use a small screwdriver to poke the old one out, then grab it with needle nose to get it out? Once that is done I oil the new one and just slide it in? I understand it will be a slow and patient process.

Would it help if I loosened the cap right beside the main cap?

[Chryco Psycho]

no problem getting the oil pump engaged with the drive again & no it will not affect the timing at all .
yes slide the upper seal out & slide in the new one just make sure the lip is pointing inward .

[74 challenge]

no problem getting the oil pump engaged with the drive again & no it will not affect the timing at all .
yes slide the upper seal out & slide in the new one just make sure the lip is pointing inward .

Perfect thanks! I am going to do this at the next oil change. Is there a gasket you would recomend over another?