leak between transmission and engine

[Larry Rees]

I have a oil leak at the ring between the engine and transmission on my 1964 convertible Deville. Can I just remove the transmission to fix it and what parts/seals do I need to order? Who has the best parts for this job? I would like to have everything here before I tackle this since parts are slow to come right now. Is this a project that a novice can handle or best left to a pro? ( I have a car lift and a manual). 

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

First, verify that it is a rear main oil seal that is leaking.  Other areas do leak, looking like a rear main seal. 

The valve covers, valley pan/PCV breather tube, and oil pressure sending unit are leak sources that leak oil down the back of the engine.

To change the rear main seal, source a seal from Caddy Daddy.  DO NOT get a seal from Best gasket, as their seal is soft and leaks. They know about it and wont fix it.  

Remove the Y exh pipe, disconnect the idler arm at the frame, rem starter, oil pan and rear main cap. Loosen the other caps just a little bit by 2 full thread turns of the bolts. 

Take pictures of how the old seals are in place.  

IMPROTANT!!  use the tool that the shop manual mentions so you do not damage the sealing surface on install. Use of RTV is OK, as it has improved since 1964.

The average Joe can handle this. 

[Larry Rees]

Thanks for the information

[Larry Rees]

The fluid is brown but I will want to change everything that I can before putting back in. Big job that I don't want to miss something easy that I regret later.

[Larry Rees]

Thanks reading that was a great help.

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