blown coolant seals
 

I've got an 88 GXL w/ a bad coolant seal (maybe more). It has been leaking exhaust into the cooling system for some time, but now it is really hard to start. My question is whether or not I can get away with replacing the bad seal(s) now until I can rebuild next summer, or do I absolutely have to rebuild when replacing the seal? It seems to have acceptable compression. the motor has gotten hot several times. How can I figure out which seal it is, front or rear rotor? I want only to replace the seals now as it seems to be less time consuming. Please keep in mind that I will rebuild it within six months.

you need to rebuild the motor. Replacing the water seals requires a complete tear down.

How do u know for sure it is the coolant seals?

Increased pressure in the cooling system... water in the rotor housing... smokes at startup.

<<you need to rebuild the motor. Replacing the water seals requires a complete tear down.>>

Are you sure? when I watched the tape, it looked as if I could replace the rear seal and end housing if needed without a tear down. But then again I can't remember whether it was an end housing or intermediate that contained the seal. Anyone want the car, I've got a rebuilt TII trans and clutch just waiting to go in, it also has a doulble din JVC combo stereo w/ remote. I was going to build a performing motor for it but then I got a ticket for reckless driving, and decided I don't like this car.

Ive recently been around and around with this, you need to rebuild you motor. You have to tear it completely down to replace the coolant seals. That is what just happened to my motor, so im buying a JSPec engine to put in my car while I take my time and rebuild my motor. I may actually sell my old motor to a buddy in town, I havent decided yet. At any rate, rebuild.

The coolant seal looks like a giant rubber band. They are not reusable. You'll realize that the first time you see one. Go to this site http://k2rd.freeservers.com/FC3S/fc3s.html and somewhere on that site he lists the minimum part needed for a rebuild.