So it is agreed that the prudent course of action would be to replace the rear main seal and housing. Luckily, my old engine has the upgraded housing. I put it in a couple of years ago before my that engine started to smoke. But I remember that when I replaced the housing last that I had to do some hokey oil pan gasket splice. Is that the best way to go about it this time? Or should I figure out some clever way of dropping the pan while I have the tranny off and the rear of the engine lowered and braced against the firewall with a piece of 1x2?

Do those oilpan gasket splices hold? I couldn't tell on my old engine since it was always leaking oil from everywhere.

Parts/Service list:
- Flywheel to the shop
- Driveshaft to the shop
- New neoprene rear oil seal
- New rear oil seal housing gasket
- New oilpan gasket
- New pilot bearing
- New clutch and throw out bearing

And hopefully that will fix it. The rear bushings are all new. Just looking for some tips on that housing upgrade.