Anybody done the rear main seal on a '96 4 liter six cyl? I have the pan off, and was expecting to just have to pull the rear main bearing cap, and pop in the upper and lower main seals.

But there is a thick metal plate that bolts on top of all of the bearing caps that isn't shown in my Haynes manual. It goes the whole length of the crankshaft in the block. It looks like there are studs out of the block that go through the bearing caps, get snugged down with nuts, and then on top of that is the plate, with nuts that hold it on.

Anybody know if I just pull that plate off and get to the rear bearing cap? I'd just pull it off, but I don't have a torque setting for it and don't want to cook main bearings.

So, whatdaya think?

Yes you can pull it off.. That sheild is the only thing held by the nuts..it is basically a windage tray..

thanks hy, it came off easy, and the seal just slid right in. Found out that it's called the bearing girdle, and was added in '96 to help keep all the bearings aligned, and, as you said, to help with oil flow.

'preciate the info.

Matt