scotth48

Is it very hard to remove and replace front oil seal? Will I need a special tool to remove and replace the seal. Getting the bolts out was a little hard from the harmonic balancer as I was too stubborn to remove steering cylinder. I put a new rear one in while the engine was out, but thought the front would be ok with less than 33,000 miles on it.

mtwoolford

there's a ton of threads on this; the biggest problem most folks face is pulling the hub that the damper bolts to.

Lloyd Smale

Id recommend if your going to do your front seal to just take your opti and water pump out too and get a seal kit that has all 3 seals and a timing cover gasket and pull the timing cover off so you can install them on the bench. Much easier to get them in nice and straight that way and youll kick yourself if a couple months from now one of the other two seals starts leaking. You not talking more then a couple more hours work and it also gives you a good chance to clean everything up good.

antfarmer2

Use a new bolt on the balancer hub

Lloyd Smale

why? I reused my old one and it threaded on nicely and torqued to spec. It isn't a bolt that is torqued to a massive weight so I doubt if theres little if any stretch.

8a8mfh

I don't think I've ever used a new bolt in the 27 years I've been messing with small block chevys. If one had a problem I'd grab a used one out of the drawer of sbc parts. I'm not one to turn the engine over by that bolt either.

I did put a new one on my LT1 though, because I had to go to ace anyway to get a longer bolt to install the hub, and the old bolt had a torn up hex head. I've thrown away just about all my sbc stuff long ago.

antfarmer2

I have heard alot of them come loose after reuseing just one less thing to worry about.

8a8mfh

pkincy

It wasn't until the LS motors that GM went to TTY bolts, so it can be reused, but why? I replace most everything I take off with an ARP replacement. Why risk having to go back in?

8a8mfh

Because there is no risk. The small block chevy has been around how many years now?.........there have been millions of every bolt on one reused without failure, as long as nothing stupid is done like over or under torquing.

Do you replace your lug nuts and studs every time you take a tire off?
Do you replace your drain plug every time you have the oil changed?

Why risk a wheel falling off?