pulling crank seal
 

I have an oil leak around my crank hub so i was going to replace the crank seal at the same time I swapped out my opti. Do I need a special crank puller tool or can I use whatever? Also, do I have to remove the timing cover?

I would think that it's probably easier to pull the timing cover off. But then you need to lower the front of the oil pan and need new timing cover gasket.

You will need a harmonic balancer puller/install tool (you can rent them). Pull off the balancer, remove the old seal, install the new one, reinstall hub, done. :)

that too, or use a 3 jaw gear puller. Either or .....

http://shbox.com/1/pull_pulley.jpg

The 3-jaw puller will only work to remove the pulley, not the crank hub.

A harmonic balancer puller/install tool will also remove the pulley and crank hub together.