Rear main seal is setting in the block uneven?

I purchased a 2000 ford ranger with a 3.0 flex fuel V6. The engine spun a rod bearing and I picked up another engine at the salvage. Anyways, the rear main seal on the salvaged engine is setting in crooked. The bottom is about an 1/8 of an inch further in than the top. I really don't want to replace it. I tipped the engine back to see if oil leaks… It doesn't. So, do you think its alright to slap it in or do I need to replace the rear main seal? Again, there's NO leaks…

I would call the junkyard to find out if they have another engine first, if not, then change it, you've already got the engine out of the vehicle so it's not the hardest thing to replace. If nothing else, buy the rear main seal installer and press it in properly (or you can GENTLY tap it in with a 2x4 and a hammer working in a star pattern), but there's most likely a reason it isn't seated properly (possibly because it was done with a 2x4 and a hammer…). I'd rather spend the 20 minutes replacing it than find out 10 miles up the road you need to replace it. Either way, good luck.

Just because it doesn't leak now, in a static, non running mode, doesn't mean it won't stream oil when that crankshaft starts spinning. I'd replace it and make sure it's right.

  • How much should a rear main seal replacement cost? I have a 2000 ford ranger 4x4 with a 3.0l v6. The rear main seal is leaking, but here is the deal, it has a 3 inch body lift which makes it really easy to reach the transmission bolts vs the factory pull the motor method. So, what do you think it should cost… Ballpark answer?
  • Does the oil pan have to be removed to change the rear main seal on a ford 3.0L V6 in a 2000 ford ranger? I have the engine removed from the truck and was swaping in a salvaged engine that all checks out good except for a slight leaking rear main seal. So, after inspecting the rear main seal, it appears as though a could just slide it out and a new one in. Does the oil pan need to be removed? Or can I just carefully remove the old seal and clean the surfaces good and install a new one?
  • Do i need a grease seal for rear wheel bearings? I have a 01 ford focus se and i bought new wheel berings for it. I don't know if i need to buy a grease seal for them or if they come with the bearings? I bought them at advanced auto
  • Rear differential leaking, but not from seal on 2003 ford f150 aluminum driveshaft? I noticed this yesterday, it's barely leaking, however, it's not leaking from the bottom of the seal, it is leaking from where the back face of the u joint(the face that faces the rear diff) and the pinion and it looks like it's coming from a small hole, I don't know why it is leaking fluid, if anyone has any information, that would be nice, thanks