1998 4.0 2 wheel drive, oil leak at the rear

[Sizzman]

Can the oil pan be dropped with the engine still in the car? I have checked and the oil seems to be leaking around the rear main.

 

[wollimann]

Maybe the rear main engine seal is leaking, oil runs through the bell housing down to the oil pan.
I don't know if the pan could be removed without engine out on a two wheel drive, sorry.

 

[allmyEXes]

On a 4.0 SOHC IIRC, the upper part of the oil pan back two bolts are inaccessible because of the transmission housing. You may have a rear
main seal leak or a torque converter seal leak. Either way, the transmission would need to be removed to replace the seal/s. Do both while
it is apart, And the oil pan gasket while you are at it.

 

[Sizzman]

Thank you for the replies. I will try the liquid fix first if that doesn't work I will replace it with a 302. I know what your thinking the pictures are not an Explorer. This is a 1948 F1 setting on 1998 Explorer chassis and running gear and the dash as well. Best of both worlds, a hot rod that drives like a modern car / truck. I think it needs a little more HP

 

[410Fortune]

Cool!!

If the rear main seal is leaking pulling the oil pan won’t fix it
You would need to pull the engine or transmission

The lower oil pan on a sohc can be done in the truck, the upper girdle/ main oil pan not so easy…

To replace the sohc with a 302 you will have to also change the transmission and the base 302’makes less power then the sohc just fyi

 

[Sizzman]

Thank you
I don't know for sure it's s rear main. I used the ultraviolet dye in the oil and it showed up between the transmission and engine. I think the 302 has more options for increasing the horse power .

 

[410Fortune]

Could be valve cover gaskets see if you can see the back of the engine up over the transmission

302s are nice. Can do a 306 331 or 347 stroker and make some serious power. The best part is the half ton / 3/4 ton transmission can handle the power.
Plus in that hotrod a good small block ford would look proper

 

[Sizzman]

Already replaced Valve cover gasket.
I agree I have a couple 55 Nomads that I put a 502 BB about 650 HP with corvette front and rear suspension Everyone said go with a LS ,the reason I didn't they just don't look right in that car.
If your at a car show and your hood is closed there's usually a reason.

 

[C420sailor]

Any time I see a cool car that’s been LS swapped, I just roll my eyes and move on. It’s such a vanilla, cookie cutter swap. Everyone does them, and it’s the default for “I want more power.” Boring.

 

[allmyEXes]

I want a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. 4 door is ok. I would Install a 351 Cleveland with an AOD transmission and a Ford 9" diffy with 4:11's.
My hood will be open at the car show for all the guys to see that put a Chevy engine in their Ford.