Rear Main Seal Replacement
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
The local Chevy dealer did the rear main in my 1980 a few months ago under warranty as some of you may remember. It only took 4 return trips for them to do it right!
I think that they had Bubba from the lube dept doing the work. At least my new crate motor had 4 oil changes in the first few hundred miles...
I think that they had Bubba from the lube dept doing the work. At least my new crate motor had 4 oil changes in the first few hundred miles...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Originally Posted by genuine1980
I was able to find a one piece Oil pan gasket... it is teflon though. Is this good? Will it seal without using a sealer? The cork one is not one piece, and they didn't say anything about having a rubber one.
Additionally I am getting new valve covers... obviosly I will be replacing the Gaskets... Should I go with rubber or Cork??
Additionally I am getting new valve covers... obviosly I will be replacing the Gaskets... Should I go with rubber or Cork??
Fellpro makes the 1 piece rubber oil pan gasket. I purchased mine from summit racing. I don't know anything about the teflon..who makes it?
I used cork my valve covers with not problems as long as the valve covers are strait. I have heard that the rubber valve cover gaskets are good, but I have no experience with them.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I don't know if it was mentioned during the discussion, but some recommend offsetting the ends of the seal just a little to help prevent leaks where the seal ends come together. My rear main seal is leaking and I am going to try and tackle this very project this winter. I know they make an offset seal for these engines but do they make one that has a double lip? That would seem to be even better to me. One more thing, when the seal goes in, do you need to lube the rubber to keep it from being damaged during the install?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by Eddie 70
I don't know if it was mentioned during the discussion, but some recommend offsetting the ends of the seal just a little to help prevent leaks where the seal ends come together. My rear main seal is leaking and I am going to try and tackle this very project this winter. I know they make an offset seal for these engines but do they make one that has a double lip? That would seem to be even better to me. One more thing, when the seal goes in, do you need to lube the rubber to keep it from being damaged during the install?
As for your second question... I think I can answer this... I read in the directions earlier in this Thread that you should use motor oil as the lub...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
one pc gasket
Originally Posted by genuine1980
Yea I am only going to replace the seal... I will inpect stuff in there while I'm in there, but only make replacements if needed or if I see crap in the bottom of the oil plan.
How high do I need to get the Car?
And I plan on replacing the Oil Pan Gasket with a new one piece... should the Oil Pan Gasket go on Dry or should I be using some kind of Sealer?
How high do I need to get the Car?
And I plan on replacing the Oil Pan Gasket with a new one piece... should the Oil Pan Gasket go on Dry or should I be using some kind of Sealer?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
I'm wondering if anyone here can point me in the direction of a good seal or "off-set" seal kit that comes with directions and the tool?
And/Or in the direction of finding a good one-piece oil pan gaskets that's not going to leak.
Thanks
And/Or in the direction of finding a good one-piece oil pan gaskets that's not going to leak.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
NAPA for the seal. Most auto parts stores will have them.
Felpro for the one piece gasket sets. Sold at places like summit racing(order online). See previous replies to your post. I am sure that you can find them from other parts houses on line as well.
Felpro for the one piece gasket sets. Sold at places like summit racing(order online). See previous replies to your post. I am sure that you can find them from other parts houses on line as well.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
NAPA for the seal. Most auto parts stores will have them.
Felpro for the one piece gasket sets. Sold at places like summit racing(order online). See previous replies to your post. I am sure that you can find them from other parts houses on line as well.
Felpro for the one piece gasket sets. Sold at places like summit racing(order online). See previous replies to your post. I am sure that you can find them from other parts houses on line as well.
Got my seal and felpro one piece gasket set from Autozone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
GM's rear seal
On page 62 of GM's 2003 Performance Parts book they have a rear oil seal that is for Chevy V8's that has the part number #10121044. It is a two piece seal designed to tolerate higher engine operating tempertures and has more face pressure than other seals for superior leak protection. This seal is used by most NASCAR teams. All this is from the parts book. This could solve your problem.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
Originally Posted by genuine1980
I'm wondering if anyone here can point me in the direction of a good seal or "off-set" seal kit that comes with directions and the tool?
And/Or in the direction of finding a good one-piece oil pan gaskets that's not going to leak.
Thanks
And/Or in the direction of finding a good one-piece oil pan gaskets that's not going to leak.
Thanks
It's installed "off-set" in the groves so the split is not where the main cap bolts up.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Lucky76 is correct. The mating ends of the seal is offset from the mating surfaces of the bearing caps. In other words they do not line up. Also be sure you do not install the seal backwards. From the pic you can see that the seal is not symmetrical.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
I was able to locate a good "off-set" seal. I was also able to find a good one-piece oil pan gasket.
I need help in locating the seal removal/instalation tool.... I can find one anywhere!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
I need help in locating the seal removal/instalation tool.... I can find one anywhere!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 118
From: Lakemont, GA
I changed the rear main on my friend's 427 about 2 years ago. The half in the bearing main was no problem but the half in the block was stuck rather well. I used a narrow oil dipstick (extra laying around) to drive between the seal and the block (the seal has a metal frame). The seal rolled right out after that. After I had changed the seal he still had some leakage (very minor compared to before) and was given a tip to dab some sealant on the ends of the seal before installing the bearing cap.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
I need help in locating the seal removal/instalation tool.... I can find one anywhere!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Which one piece oil pan gasket did you get? I think felpro gaskets usually have a small piece of paper in the packaging that tell you how to install the gasket. If the paper doesn't say to use any, then don't. As someone mentioned, you might use a dab here or there to help hold it in place. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with the teflon gasket you have.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by blctalon
Which one piece oil pan gasket did you get? I think felpro gaskets usually have a small piece of paper in the packaging that tell you how to install the gasket. If the paper doesn't say to use any, then don't. As someone mentioned, you might use a dab here or there to help hold it in place. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with the teflon gasket you have.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Originally Posted by genuine1980
I need help in locating the seal removal/instalation tool.... I can find one anywhere!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
Also opinions on whether or not I should use a sealer with the one piece oil pn gasket.
Thanks!
The installation tool should have come with the new seal...It is used kind of like a shoehorn to guide the seal into the bearing cap so the the sharp edge of the bearing cap doesn't cut the seal.
Removal of the old seal is done by pushing up against the end of the seal with a punch or something like a punch. Once the seal starts to come out the other side of the bearing cap, then grap it with a pliers and pull it the rest of the way out. Be careful not to knick or scratch the bearing cap while pushing out the old seal.
Do you have a chiltons repair manual, or any repair manual for your vette? This is a pretty standard routine covered in them. they will even show the picture of the install tool(and how to make one if you don't have one).