When I installed the covers on my engine, I did the oil pan first, using straightedges on the back of the block to line it up for the trans. Got it perfect. Then, when I put the rear cover on, I used a small pick and carefully seated the new rear main seal, then let the seal center itself on the crank, and torqued it to spec. Anyways, some bs happened and I had to drop the pan. I had the engine upside down today, and I noticed when I was getting ready to put the oil pan back on it was not completely flush with the bottom of the block, and I'm afraid it will leak. I dont want to pull it off and push it down level, because then the rear main seal wont be centered over the end of the crank. What do I do?

 

When installing the rear cover, you need to pull the cover down flush the the oil pan with the two long bolts (M6x1.0; pan to cover bolts) first before tightening the cover to block bolts (M8x1.25). I get all the M8x1.25 bolts started just barely hand-tight, torque the M6x1.0s to 106 lb-in and then torque the M8x1.25s to 18 lb-ft. This will ensure the rear cover is pulled down flush with the oil pan.

Jason

 

Thanks Jason, but won't that make the rear main seal off centered on the crank?

 

Does anyone happen to have the GM PN for these bolts that I have bolded? I snapped one when I was taking it out. I have tried hardware stores but to no avail.

Anyone?

 

The seal will have more forgiveness than the misalighned aluminum. I always do it like Jason described above.