[C2] Rear Main Cap ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
Rear Main Cap ?
hi all, sbc newbie here and i'm doing the rear main seal shuffle in a '67. before i pulled the rear main cap i noticed a small dowel pin driven in between it and the pan rail. is this to control rear main bearing thrust and do i need to take any special precautions before pulling the cap? thanks. 
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Close to DC
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NO! don't touch it. Just replace your seal. Since you have the pan off, check the pan rails and make sure all the bolt holes are flush and not dimpled. Search on line about this for extra details. 
Dennis
Dennis
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
thanks guys, i'm new to sb chevys so i've been researching the heck out of it. but now i'm suffering major mission creep. with the pan down i can see the front cover is leaking at the seal and the gasket. so now i've got to pull that. of course with the cover off it'd be foolish not to replace the gears and chain. also, i have an L79 intake i need to install eventually so might's well do the cam and lifters then. so now i'm considering a 2 piece TC cover so i don't have to go through the gasket hassle again. and so it goes.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Exactly what engine do you have? Good idea to replace the timing chain and gears, but do you have the proper tools to pull the balancer? I would bother with a two piece cover. If you do the FelPro gaskets correctly, and you don't over tighten any of the bolts, you shouldn't have leaks. Why do you feel the need to replace the cam and lifters? If you don't have the book Rebuilding The Small Block by David Visard, I suggest you get it. Dennis
Dennis
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
dennis, appreciate the input. the the car is a '67, the motor is '68 block that the PO said was a replacement under warranty. don't know if it was a short or long block or an empty case or how much of the original engine was swapped over. it doesn't look like it's been apart since then. so 50 plus year old internals.
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