Rear main seal replacement- in car

[NHCharger]

Need to replace the rear main seal- again. First time I removed the engine from the car, engine build was still under warranty so engine builder came over to my shop and did it. This time I'm on my own and do not want to remove the engine. I do have a scissor lift.
Anyway, looking for some input, do's and don't for doing this with engine remaining in the car.
I searched you tube but didn't find anything that was of much help.

[AKcharger]

Should be doable, just need to drop the oil pan

[metallicareload99]

I think dropping the center link and getting the pan out would be the worst of it, which I have done in car, but I haven't done the seal in car Last time I did the rear main seal the engine was on a stand, but the crank and main caps were left in place

[Nacho-RT74]

Rope or rubber?

On both cases will need to lift a bit the engine, either from top or from bottom according with your tools. I have made it from bottom, with a jack at the tranny belhousing area with some plywoods close or between the tranny pan. This is to get room to reach the oil pan bolts and pull out the pan.

Sure you need to get loosen the center link. Don't need to disconect it completelly, but quite enough to remove the pitman arm from the steering box and the iddler arm from K member. That's at least what I made. This will get you enough play to let it drop enough to remove the oil pan. Then remove the seal cap and replace.

If rope, you can pull out the top half with a long selftapping screw, screw it in to the seal and pull it out with plyers.

If rubber, just a push it from one side to remove it from the othe side.

You won't be able to install a rope seal again. So if rope seal, will need to replace it with a rubber seal. Rope seal can be installed just with crank out.

Is tipically adviced to install the seal a bit offset.

[Nacho-RT74]

Oh! Better also get loosen the fan shroud too. Just in case the fan meets the shroud while lifting up the engine.

[kent]

Great advice Nacho! Well said.