I have been told that my front main crank seal on my 300 turbo diesel needs to be replaced. I am curious to know if this requires removal of the engine or is just an fairly simple fix. Thanks for you help!!

No need to pull the engine, you may want to take out the radiator to give you more room. Pull what you need to, pry off the old seal. There is a metal ring behind it, replace that too, or not. That may need a gear puller to get off.
Use the proper sized drift to put it on.

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83 SD

84 CD

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=182462

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I did this about 2 months ago following the instructions found here.

One tip - the spacer ring that the seal surrounds can be a bear to remove. Clean everything up and you can hit it with a torch. It'll expand faster than the crank end and slide right off.

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1983 300TD - 202k with 5 speed Getrag conversion

Here is another tip: Pry the spacer ring from two points, 180 degrees apart, simultaneously.