Rear main seal
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
Rear main seal Hey guys,
getting my motor back from the machine shop in a few days and getting ready to start assembling everything (l76) Just need some confirmation or suggestions on the rear main seal install. I have read up on it and it is recommended that the special tool be used for alignment.
So I ordered the tools for the front and rear seal install but everything I have seen is that the cover be installed then the seal. But the seal I ordered is the gm performance cover with seal and gasket.
Looks like the seal comes already installed into the cover. Just wondering what your thoughts are on installing it with the seal in the cover? Maybe I’m overthinking it i just want to do it right the first time as no one wants a leaky rear main
thanks
getting my motor back from the machine shop in a few days and getting ready to start assembling everything (l76) Just need some confirmation or suggestions on the rear main seal install. I have read up on it and it is recommended that the special tool be used for alignment.
So I ordered the tools for the front and rear seal install but everything I have seen is that the cover be installed then the seal. But the seal I ordered is the gm performance cover with seal and gasket.
Looks like the seal comes already installed into the cover. Just wondering what your thoughts are on installing it with the seal in the cover? Maybe I’m overthinking it i just want to do it right the first time as no one wants a leaky rear main
thanks
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 977
Mentally split aligning the cover, into 2 parts: horizontal and vertical.
Vertical, it can only go in ONE place: where the bottom of it, where the oil pan meets it, is in the same plane as the block where the OP meets that. Doesn't matter whether that's "exactly" centered on the crank or not; that's where it has to go.
Horizontal, you can put the bolts in all but a half-turn or so, such that the cover is free to move to wherever it wants, which will pretty well center the seal on the crank; mark it in a couple of places along the sides with a fine-tip Sharpie or something; and make sure that it stays at that horizontal location as you tighten it up while held in the right vertical place to seal to the pan.
Will end up as close as it can possibly get to "perfect" while allowing for normal production tolerances. The seal has ALOT of "give" to it anyway.
Vertical, it can only go in ONE place: where the bottom of it, where the oil pan meets it, is in the same plane as the block where the OP meets that. Doesn't matter whether that's "exactly" centered on the crank or not; that's where it has to go.
Horizontal, you can put the bolts in all but a half-turn or so, such that the cover is free to move to wherever it wants, which will pretty well center the seal on the crank; mark it in a couple of places along the sides with a fine-tip Sharpie or something; and make sure that it stays at that horizontal location as you tighten it up while held in the right vertical place to seal to the pan.
Will end up as close as it can possibly get to "perfect" while allowing for normal production tolerances. The seal has ALOT of "give" to it anyway.
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 933
Likes: 75
I replaced my rear seal a couple of times when I had the engine out. I always replaced the seal for good measure---didn't really need it. I just popped the seal out of the aluminum housing with a screwdriver, Installed the new one and used a small thin wipe of RTV on the outside metal edge where it goes in the cover. Install it dry. Sell your new cover.
Never mind---its a new build. put on the new cover---dry on the seal---install a couple of bolts finger tight. Get a straight edge and lay on the oilpan rail, move the rear cover up until it touches the straight edge---both sides, snug it down. Now it's ready for the oil pan.
Never mind---its a new build. put on the new cover---dry on the seal---install a couple of bolts finger tight. Get a straight edge and lay on the oilpan rail, move the rear cover up until it touches the straight edge---both sides, snug it down. Now it's ready for the oil pan.
