axer

I am getting ready to put the front and rear cover/oilpan on my
LS6. I notice the GM manual shows lots of special tools to do this.
Are these tools really needed, or can I press in the seals and carefully
assemble evertything. I will use the tools if needed, but the process
seems overly complicated......use centering tool, install cover, press
in the seal with the special installer...ect. Is there any problem areas
that I need to look out for ?

Thanks!

CharlieLed

iTrader: (1)

I have been told that if the rear cover and the timing cover are placed on the block allowing the crankshaft to center the seal then all that needs to be done is line up the lower edge with the oil pan and bolt it in place. I too have seen the very expensive Kent-Moore kits for aligning these covers and wondered just how necessary they really are.
Anybody have some firsthand experience with this?

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

Since the covers and pan and bellhousing are kind of like a puzzle, I Installed the bellhousing on the back of the block then set the oil pan in place. I then threaded and lightly tightened the bolts that feed through the bell housing into the oil pan. This will center your oil pan where it needs to be and allow it to be flush with the back of the block. I then installed and tightened a few of the oil pan bolts to keep it from moving. Now remove the bell housing. Now that your oil pan is in the proper position, your front and rear covers should line up perfectlly. No need for speacialty tools.

Viper

iTrader: (6)

Beast96Z

You are the man! I've been debating that for some time ; how to do it myself without the kit. Great write up, I tried searching a while back with no luck. Thanks. This will definitely help this winter.

John_D.

iTrader: (2)

I did the same thing, except I went ahead and put the front cover on too, just to make sure the front of the pan was where it needed to be. Then I took the bellhousing off.

m1key99WS6

iTrader: (1)

I didn't use any special tools installing the oil pan, front cover and rear cover (with new seals, etc) and don't have any leaks of any sort on my motor. Just use common sense and you'll be fine. It had to take less than 30 minutes to install all of the covers. The rear seal did take a good 5 minutes of "finagling"

Cheers.