HELP!! I'm in the middle of changing the rear main seal in my 80 318. Engine is in the car. problem I'm having is getting the upper rope seal out. I have a tool like the manual says to use but cannot get it to move. Have tried turning crank while pulling on seal also. Any tricks or ideas would be appreciated! Also if I do get this out how do I install the new rubber seal...lots of vasoline? If nothing works I may reinstall old rope seals with RTV on ends and corners as I think my leak was coming from the original 30 year old
hard cork gasket. Thanks for any input!

loosen all the main caps and lower the crank a little. The easiest way I've found to do them.

Thread a small screw into the rope seal and pull on it. It'll come right out. Just be careful not to nick the crank or the recessed area the seal rides in.

For the replacement seal, oil the part that touches the crank. The other side that touches the block must be dry/free of oil, as does the groove the seal sits in.

Thanks for both replies. I thought of unbolting convertor..moving it back and loosening mains as a last resort. Thanks for the tip on keeping seal unsaturated on installation. Any more?