440 front crank seal

[dave73]

Any preferred brand/vendor to buy a new front crank seal for my 440? I've been chasing an oil leak for a few months now and suspect it may be the seal. Oil getting on the balancer and slinging all over the place, can't find a thing. Going to tear down the front of the motor this winter and want to have one on hand if that's what it is for sure.

[HEMICUDA]

Usually it's the balancer not the seal.  Before you pull the front of the motor, pull the balancer off and check the mating surface to the seal.  It may be as simple as buying a sleeve and press it on the balancer.  Had the same problem with one of my HEMI's, I think I bought the sleeve from Mancini Racing.

[dave73]

Hmm.. I'm using a summit racing brand balancer. Any known issues with this? So your saying the where it mates to the crankshaf may be slightly off and causing oil to slip by?

Link to the part I have:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-c4279/overview/

[HEMICUDA]

No, the mating surface between the balancer and the oil seal.  If you have a new balancer and seal, odds are, it's a balancer to seal clearance problem.

[dave73]

How is that determined and then fixed? I didn't assemble this engine..

[dodj]

This Fel-Pro kit works for me.
https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fel-tcs124602/overview/

Used it during my recent cam change. No issues. No leaks.

[734406PK]

Make sure you have an oil slinger installed in front of the timing chain sprocket. It is often overlooked and a front seal oil leak will happen.

[cudabob496]

I'd try this first. Let us know if it works.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atp-at205

[RzeroB]

If you are having difficulty nailing down exactly where the leak is coming from, you might want to try a leak detection dye to help you find it before you start taking things apart.

[Chryco Psycho]

there are a number of possible issues
An old damper can have a groove worn into it allowing oil to leak past , a new damper should not do this .
The oil slinger is important , this will throw most of the oil away from the seal , it must be installed !
The seal has a spring behind it to put pressure on the seal lip , if the spring popped off when being installed the seal will leak .
the seal lip could have been cut against the key when installed causing the seal to leak .
I suspect a bad seal if you have a new damper .

[dave73]

If you are having difficulty nailing down exactly where the leak is coming from, you might want to try a leak detection dye to help you find it before you start taking things apart.

Already did that. Found a bunch of leaks from my valve covers so I fixed those issues and thought I had it solved. Still noticing oil on the balancer and can't figure out how it's getting onto it so the only other place I can think of is from behind it.

I'd try this first. Let us know if it works.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atp-at205

Any concerns with this 'gunking' up the inside?

there are a number of possible issues
An old damper can have a groove worn into it allowing oil to leak past , a new damper should not do this .
The oil slinger is important , this will throw most of the oil away from the seal , it must be installed !
The seal has a spring behind it to put pressure on the seal lip , if the spring popped off when being installed the seal will leak .
the seal lip could have been cut against the key when installed causing the seal to leak .
I suspect a bad seal if you have a new damper .

Yea damper is new so I'm thinking the seal as well. I'm going to look into the parts I ordered/installed by the engine builder. Don't remember ordering an oil slinger, wonder if he installed one?

[cudabob496]

gunking up the inside? zero evidence that I am aware of.
Its a clear liquid that dissolves in the oil.