Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Front Main Seal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
LS1T56FTW's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Default Front Main Seal

Hi Guys,

Finally got my build together to find that my front main seal leaks.

Anyway, I was wondering if I can replace it without taking the front cover off. Since it is a clearance on the crank, I don't see why I can't pull the old one out, and press the new one in. Anyone with experience please help!

Thanks.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 04:17 PM
  #2  
Undertow74's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (45)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 13
From: South Carolina
Default

im sure you can do it, its just going to be so much eaiser with the front cover off because you will be able to lay it down flat and press the new seal in. if you try to do it vertical in that small space might not seat right. if you already have the belts and crank pulley off, just take the few waterpump bolts off and then unbolt the cover.......to me it would be worth it to do it right and spend the extra 10 minutes to take the other bolts out than cut the corners to find out you have to pull them anyways....
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 04:28 PM
  #3  
LS1T56FTW's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

I was hoping to just take the crank pulley off and replace the seal. I would rather not replace/disrupt the front cover gasket/oil pan gasket/water pump gaskets. I probably could get the seal in flush as long as I tapped it in with a flat piece of wood or something, but you do bring up a good point.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 05:55 PM
  #4  
Russ K's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
From: Regina, Sask
Default

No need to remove the timing cover, just put a light film of oil on the OD of the new seal. Then it will easily push in with your fingers, then tap it in in flush with a wide punch or small block of wood.

Russ Kemp
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 06:55 PM
  #5  
LS1T56FTW's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

Thanks Russ, sounds like a good idea to me! Are you related to a Chris Kemp by any chance?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 07:22 PM
  #6  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Been there done that, a plain seal removal tool such as this will do the trick for safely getting the old seal out after the balancer is removed:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...235_0117880229

I used a very thin film of Permatex Aviation Gasket Sealant on the outer circumference of the new seal, but the manual calls for motor oil.

Be sure to get the crank balancer surface perfectly clean, no oil on the sealing surface at all.

Last edited by crainholio; Jul 15, 2012 at 06:43 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 09:21 PM
  #7  
LS1T56FTW's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

Doesn't the seal lip ride on the pulley surface? No doubt I will make sure both are spotless (as I did last time too) but the leak is between the balancer and the seal lip.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 12:12 AM
  #8  
Russ K's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
From: Regina, Sask
Default

Originally Posted by LS1T56FTW
Thanks Russ, sounds like a good idea to me! Are you related to a Chris Kemp by any chance?
No, I'm not. Where is he from?

Russ Kemp
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 06:44 AM
  #9  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by LS1T56FTW
Doesn't the seal lip ride on the pulley surface? No doubt I will make sure both are spotless (as I did last time too) but the leak is between the balancer and the seal lip.
Yup, I went back and clarified on my post.

Also check the alignment of the timing cover by inspecting fitment of the seal's outer dust cover against the balancer...if there's a gap on one side it's a good indicator that the timing cover is not aligned properly.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:02 PM
  #10  
LS1T56FTW's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

Russ, originally I am not sure but at the time when I used to talk to him he was in Michigan, but I am also pretty sure that is not where his hometown is/was.

Also, I am 99.9% sure that front cover is on dead nuts. I put the oil pan on with the front somewhat simultaneously so that neither would pull one a certain way - they would go down flush.

Keep the advice comin though!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:33 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE