When installing the rear cover and following the recommended procedures I left the bolts loose to center the rear oil seal. It appears that when the seal is centered the cover doesn't come down far enough to be flat with the bottom of block where the oil pan bolts on. I am assuming it is necessary to bolt the cover down tight so the seal stays centered and then when installing the oil pan+gasket that you should use high temperture RTV at the joining of the rear cover and pan. Then also all across the bottom of the cover to seal where the cover doesn't come flush with the pan. This gap is about 1/32". I am afraid if I mount the cover flush with the bottom of the block it could make the seal leak because it wouldn't be centered then. Let me know what you think. Ken

 

anyone?

 

i found a special tool that gm uses to line up the rear cover.

 

Where did you find this special tool? This information would be useful to me as well as others... do you have a part number?.... Chris