The attached photos are of a revolutionary leak proof MK2 rear main seal from the Acme Manufacturing Company. Their head engineer, Wile E Coyote has come up with this time proven design to assure you will never have puddles under your car again.
On a serious side. This “fix” looks like a great way to get dirt and water directly into the sump. The rear basin catches the oil that bypasses the scroll and it gravity feeds back into the sump. Since it has no top, everything can settle in there. Got to give the creator points to come up with a fix for a perpetual problem. The workmanship is to a very good standard, even though the design is not.
These pictures are from 2006. It is very professionally made and that is why I believe they came that way from the factory. This is mine, and it is identical to yours in every way, including the little lip around the back flange…
Mike, mine sure looks like it was brazed with a gas fluxer torch. Standard method in the UK for low temperature joining of components. Mine is done to a high standard as well, the difference being that the tray is brazed on the same way as the tube is attached.
Until there is a definitive confirmation, I have a hard time thinking this is a factory fix over an aftermarket JC Whitney one. I get that it is tucked in tight between the sump and bellhousing but there is no way to keep shit out of it. Not saying never here, and those spot welds on yours shouts factory just scary to think of what else it scoops up besides oil drips.
I had the understanding it was a dealer fix in the 60s or 70s (no doubt the dealer got tired of people complaining). I have an aluminum sump and had half of a round aluminum ashtray welded to the sump with a drain to a catch-bottle which can be drained periodically. But, fingers crossed, the new seal seems to be working so not much need for the drain.
