Got the new manifold on (Thanks, Steiner Tractor!) & got the old boy running pretty good, but the longer I run it the worse the rear main seal leaks! I was hoping it would soften up and at least slow down to a manageable drip, but it ain't looking good. Is the seal in these critters behind the flywheel, or do I have to drop the oilpan and remove the main bearing cap to install a rope type seal? Rick.
the rear crank seal on hercules IX engines is a drive in lip seal which is installed in the bell housing and the lip rides on the flywheel, to replace remove the clutch and flywheel. is your leak coming from the small hole in the bottom of the bellhousing?if so it is probably the seal or these engines have a gasket that seals the rear of the oil pan and rear of block to the bell housing that sometimes gives trouble.
good luck walter
Walter, it's coming out of the the little hole. I've got to pull the driveshaft & all to stretch the frame back out where sombody shortened it (Don't ask me why!), so pulling the clutch & flywheel won't be that bad. Sure beats laying under a dripping engine and fighting with a cussed rope seal! Thanks for the info! Rick.