vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Just installed my new front seal last night. Went in by hand. I thought about using RTV but the service manual doesn't call for it. I did a search and some are using RTV. The little lips I believe are meant to deform on installation and then seal and lock the unit in place as I tried to remove it and it wouldn't move much at all.

Has anyone installed the new seal dry, per the service manual, and had a problem with it?

Z06-Dave

They are tough to remove but slip right in and normally installed dry. You'll be fine. Mine doesn't leak at all, but the bottom of my pan does

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Yes, a leak is a big fear since repair is so time consuming. My biggest mess was the water pump but I think just to get the timing cover off you may not need to remove as much "stuff" if a leak shows up later.

777

iTrader: (21)

I have no leaks. Popped the seal out with a screwdriver and put the new one in with a hammer and a 2x4, so it set straight.

robertbartsch

I used a wooden 2x4 to soften the hammer blow.... no sealer, no leak.... the tricky part about avoiding leaks is aligning the cover. GM has a special tool for this.

Put all the bolts in and screw them by hand until they touch the cover. Then tighten in a few SMALL sequences like you would do for head bolts.....

This should help alignment.

777

iTrader: (21)

I've never had a problem in the two times that my front cover has been off. I just bolted it back up. But anytime I bolt something up with more than one bolt I screw them all in and then tighten them in some sort of pattern

Ping King

iTrader: (20)

i try and set the pulley up while the cover is loose...then tighten all teh bolts up after the pulley is torqued down...this helps align it.

DrkPhx

iTrader: (15)

I have used the hammer (gently) with a 2x4 method several times with no leaks. The rear seal is the critical one that needs an exact alignment.

777

iTrader: (21)

They make a tool for it...

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

Those using a block of wood and a hammer to install the front seal are not using the new seal GM has been selling for at least the last year. The new style seal presses in and out easily by hand and it is good to use some sealer around the outside edge of it before you install it in the t/c cover.