4.0L rear main seal depth?

[redisette]

Hello,
I'm replacing the rear main seal on a '99 explorer 4.0L OHV engine. Insertion to a "critical" depth is mentioned many times on the net, but nowhere is the depth noted. The old one was about .125" past flush with the crankshaft, but given the quality of some of the previous repairs I've seen on this vehicle, I don't trust that depth. Ford's tool is not available to me. Otherwise, it would be a simple matter to measure the lip on the tool. There is a depth of .413" mentioned on the net, but that number cannot be correct... There isn't that much room.
Can anyone help me with this?
Thank you.
redisette

 

[2000StreetRod]

rear main seal replacement

I don't have access to my vehicle docs at this time but posts 396 and 398 of the following thread may be helpful: SOHC V6 Timing Chain Saga

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. It's easy to make your own tool out of PVC. Check # 68 in my list of useful threads.

 

[2000StreetRod]

rear seal spec

My Haynes Repair Manual states for 1996 and later the crankshaft rear seal should be flush with the block.