[DeTomaso] Rear seal change with engine in the car?

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Hi guys,

As you may recall, Chuck Melton and I have been working with Markus Woehler 
to help him get his Pantera squared away as much as possible.   All the little 
things are done, but the big thing looming over his head is that he has a 
leaking rear main seal.   He is dreading having to pull the engine to fix it.

Assuming one cuts out the crossmember under the oil pan and subsequently 
replaces it with a bolt-in style, is it possible to R&R the rear main seal without 
actually removing the engine from the car?   I'm thinking that perhaps the 
transaxle could be slid rearwards a little bit, the oil pan dropped, and there 
you go?

I'm doublly interested in your thoughts on the matter, because I have a 
long-ignored oil leak coming from the front of my motor that I haven't tried to 
investigate at all yet.   It's large enough that I think it's either coming from 
the crank snout or the front main seal, and I am filled with similar levels of 
dread at the prospect of pulling my engine to sort it out.

So, is there an easier way?

Thanks!

Mike


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