Newbie - Front Oil Seal - Opinions PLease

[ktinsley12091960]

I have a 1948 Cub, I am going to have to replace the radiator, so I took the front all apart. I am looking at the front seal and I am of two minds.It does not look like it is leaking to me, if it's not broken don't fix it. On the other hand it takes awhile to get to this stage, should I just replace it while it is relatively easy to get to? Opinions would be appreciated.

Thank You. Kevin

[Eugene]

To get to the seal you need to remove the bolster/front end of the tractor, remove the pulley, and remove the front engine cover.

It's been a while for me, you may have to loosen the oil pan to remove the front engine cover. Then you can replace the seal.

Opinion. If the seal is not leaking, leave it alone.

[Don McCombs]

Whether you choose to replace the seal, or not, do three things while the radiator is off. Replace the governor spring, clean out the tube running from the air cleaner to the engine block and replace the belts.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/gv/357fp.htm

On further thought, four. Read all the posts you can find about aftermarket radiators.

[tst]

cover does not need to be removed to replace seal

[ktinsley12091960]

Does anyone think it looks like it's leaking? I don't feel any oil around it. It seems like there is little oil around the governor.

thanks. Kevin.

[Jim Becker]

Getting from where you are to the point of changing the seal is more work than getting to where you are now. It does not look like the seal is leaking, at least not enough do anything about it. Whether you remove the front cover or not, you definitely would have to remove the pulley to change the seal. That is the difficult part. At least consider each of the things Don suggested. When you remove the vent tube to clean it, be sure to clean the passage into the engine block.

[Peter Person]

In your 2nd photo it almost looks like a reflection of light off what could be a speedy sleeve, so your front seal may have been replaced already.
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/en/472fp.htm

[tst]

The fan can throw oil around the front also as it is oil filled, it will come out the back of the pulley

[NJ Farmer]

If it isn’t leaking don’t fix what isn’t broken…….when it starts leaking come back and ask the question!

NJ Farmer

[darkmuncan81]

I just replaced that oil seal last month, getting the tractor split was the “easy” part…getting pulley off and back on was a whole other ball game. My advice is not to replace unless it’s leaking like mine was.

I second the advice on replacing governor spring but expect to have to do some adjustments to the linkages to the carb after you get it in on, especially if it’s never been replaced before.

[inairam]

While you are that deep, whether you replace the seal or not - I would also get some white nail polish and highlight the timing marks.

I do not know how much cleaning you did but most of mine look worse than those pics.

[Waif]

20240217_145122.jpg20240217_145118.jpg

I have a 1948 Cub, I am going to have to replace the radiator, so I took the front all apart. I am looking at the front seal and I am of two minds.It does not look like it is leaking to me, if it's not broken don't fix it. On the other hand it takes awhile to get to this stage, should I just replace it while it is relatively easy to get to? Opinions would be appreciated.

Thank You. Kevin

Sometimes .letting sleeping dogs lie makes sense.

I'd have no problem leaving your front seal alone as pictured.

[inairam]

I believe in letting sleeping dogs lie, do not poke the bear, and any other saying like that. You are a lot of broken bolts, tool and part purchases, and other frustrations away from replacing a front seal that does not look that bad with the season starting soon.

Since you are there I would do the other front-end work previously mentioned and watch the seal for a while.