I replaced the front crankshaft oil seal 80k ago and it's starting to leak again. The first time I replaced it I was told to install it dry. Now I hear people saying it should have a lite coat of grease. I'am confused can someone help me out which way is the correct installation of this on a Cummins.

 

The stock seal should be installed dry as it is stated on the box it comes in.
You will need to take care that the new seal does not ride in the groove that the old seal made in the crankshaft stub.
Cummins sells a kit that puts a sleeve over the stub and an oversized seal for the cases where the stub is pitted or corroded.
80k miles sounds reasonable to me, but many oil seals die due to foreign object damage like a piece of plastic or wire etc getting caught and riding on the shaft.

HTH

AlpineRAM

 

As has been stated, DRY is correct. The reason is the seal is Teflon, and upon initial startup, a bit of it is wiped to the crank and helps assure a good life.

 

Thanks guys The 1st time I changed it I took care of the killer dowel pin. Is it easy to pull the gear cover to change the seal or can I pull the seal with the cover on?

 

I wouldn't try to do it on the truck. Somewhere on the first gen side they showed where Cummins says you can do it while in place.