Symptoms
Oil dripping from the bellhousing area and a wet oil pan rear lip. The engine-to-transmission joint is the giveaway, since valve-cover and pan-gasket leaks run down from higher up.
The fix, step by step
- On Binder Planet, owners point out that the IH V8 uses a one-piece rear main seal, so the transmission has to come out to replace it properly.
- Remove the transmission (and clutch on manuals) and the flywheel or flexplate, then the old seal, and fit the new seal and spacer.
- Owners recommend a licensed reprint of the factory manual for the procedure.
- If you're chasing low oil pressure as well, check that oil reaches the rockers before replacing bearings: the SV V8's cam bearings feed the top end, and 5–10 psi at hot idle isn't unusual on these engines.
Tools & part numbers
- Transmission jack
- flywheel holder
- seal driver
- factory service manual
Where to buy the parts
Rear main seal, IH 152/196/266/304/345/392IH Parts America ↗Amazon ↗
Rear main seal spacer, IH 4-cyl and V8IH Parts America ↗Amazon ↗
Complete IH V8 engine gasket set (includes rear main seal)Anything Scout ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for International Scout II parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.