Are the LS seals truely reusable?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Are the LS seals truely reusable? I'm updating my 1998 LS1. I'm planning on an oil pump swap, bypass plug replacement, and a general re-sealing of the engine.
However, I really don't know how re-usable the OEM seals are. IE, it appears as if the oil pan, timing cover, rear cover, water pump seals can all be reused. However, it also appears as if my oil pan had been leaking.
How often do people reuse the old seals when doing a refresh? I was planning on buying the parts below, but if I can get away with not replacing some, I can probably save about $90.
p/n qty description
12633904 1 LS1 timing cover seal
12585673 1 LS1 front crank seal
12630223 2 LS1 water pump gasket
12612350 1 LS1 oil pan seal
12639249 1 LS1 rear cover seal
12573460 1 LS1 barbell oil bypass plug
89060436 1 LS1 rear main seal
17801830 1 LS6 oil pump
14061685 1 pilot bearing
12557840 1 LS1 crank bolt
SD7140 1 Timing chain
Anything missing from the list I should consider?
However, I really don't know how re-usable the OEM seals are. IE, it appears as if the oil pan, timing cover, rear cover, water pump seals can all be reused. However, it also appears as if my oil pan had been leaking.
How often do people reuse the old seals when doing a refresh? I was planning on buying the parts below, but if I can get away with not replacing some, I can probably save about $90.
p/n qty description
12633904 1 LS1 timing cover seal
12585673 1 LS1 front crank seal
12630223 2 LS1 water pump gasket
12612350 1 LS1 oil pan seal
12639249 1 LS1 rear cover seal
12573460 1 LS1 barbell oil bypass plug
89060436 1 LS1 rear main seal
17801830 1 LS6 oil pump
14061685 1 pilot bearing
12557840 1 LS1 crank bolt
SD7140 1 Timing chain
Anything missing from the list I should consider?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I had figured I would just replace them all, but then I figured the engine is stock, so why spend the extra money.
It looks like I can get Fel Pro kit C9284 which has everything all the short block gaskets I listed above, plus a few more, from Rock Auto for $127 shipped or from Amazon for $124 shipped. It doe snot have the barbell bypass plug though.
I may just buy one of those sets and then order the oil pump, timing chain, and other stuff from one of the sponsors.
It looks like I can get Fel Pro kit C9284 which has everything all the short block gaskets I listed above, plus a few more, from Rock Auto for $127 shipped or from Amazon for $124 shipped. It doe snot have the barbell bypass plug though.
I may just buy one of those sets and then order the oil pump, timing chain, and other stuff from one of the sponsors.
I'm pretty sure the barbell itself can be reused. Don't hold me to it but I do believe it's commonly reused. I was more referring to front/rear seals, valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, water pump gaskets & so fourth.
check the classifieds for a timing chain, if you do not need adjustable I believe Yank is still selling HD timing chain sets for cheap.
edit: here is the timing chain link
https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...es-new-gm.html
check the classifieds for a timing chain, if you do not need adjustable I believe Yank is still selling HD timing chain sets for cheap.
edit: here is the timing chain link
https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...es-new-gm.html
I have reused gaskets and seals on my moter with out problems... This was only because I had to pull the moter after about 2,000 miles, I had previously replaced every gasket. So in your your case with how old every thing is I would spend the money and buy new.
Fyi the oil "bar bell" is one of the only parts left in my moter that GM blessed me with 13 years ago when the car was new.
Fyi the oil "bar bell" is one of the only parts left in my moter that GM blessed me with 13 years ago when the car was new.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
The motor has about 90k on it. I'' probably just buy that Fel Pro kit.
For the barbell, I understand they sometimes blow out the back. I wonder if I can just drill and tap a hole immediately behind the barbel location, and then thread in a screw with some red loctite, which is ground down to the correct length to keep the barbell from pushing out after the cover is installed. It would take some measuring but I bet it would work.
Or I could just spend the $5.
For the barbell, I understand they sometimes blow out the back. I wonder if I can just drill and tap a hole immediately behind the barbel location, and then thread in a screw with some red loctite, which is ground down to the correct length to keep the barbell from pushing out after the cover is installed. It would take some measuring but I bet it would work.
Or I could just spend the $5.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
If your seals are new and not hard to get to........reuse them. If they are original OEM or difficult to get to like the oil pan, change em every time. But, I hate leaks.
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Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I actually did order the Fel Pro kit off Amazon yesterday. My post was my last ditch effort to figure out if I was wasting money or not. Frankly, cars are such a waste of money to begin with, what's another $90?. 
Thanks.
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