Any rear main seal worries after sitting idle for years?

[tom h]

Low mileage (5,000) '87 has been garage stored for over 5 years (yes, a tragedy, I know). The engine has not been fired up or cranked over during the 5+ years.

When the car was being driven, no problems with the original rear main seal (OEM rope).

What are the chances that the original seal will still be 100% leak tight?

And is it worth the effort to "just in case" replace the old seal now, with a new felpro neoprene seal & assemble it with anaerobic sealant, etc ??

On the one hand, Why mess with it, especially if there's no known problem.

But right now the fluids and oil are already drained, the car is on jacks anyway, the exhaust headers & crossover are removed, etc, and it would be more convenient to replace the seal now rather than after the car is re-assembled.

Opinions?

 

[BoostKillsStres]

If it isn't wet I wouldn't touch it, the crossover is all that needs to be removed if you have to go back in and thats a snap.

 

[tom h]

Originally posted by BoostKillsStres
If it isn't wet I wouldn't touch it

It was dry & clean when I stored the car years ago, and that includes the flywheel (cover is off & I inspected it).

 

[Turbo Brian]

It might leak on the initial start up, but when the motor has been run and oil hits the seal, it will swell and seal properly again.

Assuming you have not increased the boost to 20+ psi, the engine rope rear seal should be back to normal once the motor has been run.