Rear main seal (93 LT1) replace while doing clutch?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,681
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
Rear main seal (93 LT1) replace while doing clutch?
Im gathering the parts to do my clutch change. Last time I replaced the clutch (in 2002, a mere 25k ago) I replaced the rear main seal as well.
I took off the flywheel (aluminum flywheel with steel friction plate) and noted that there are a few drops of oil off the rear main seal. These may not necessarily be due to a faulty seal, but may be due to the fact the engine is tilted back slightly and all the oil is now up against the rear main seal.
There was also a tiny amount of oil on the front bellhousing cover (that sheet metal that bolts to the bottom half of the bellhousing).
Since my timing cover leaks a tiny amount of oil, its possible it could have blown back while driving onto the bellhousing. The underside of the oil pan has a slight misting of oil on it.
Keep in mind, my car doesnt leak any drops of oil on the ground. Its just that a light misting of oil develops around the timing cover.
Do you guys usually replace the rear main seal when doing a clutch change?
Any advice is appreciated.
I took off the flywheel (aluminum flywheel with steel friction plate) and noted that there are a few drops of oil off the rear main seal. These may not necessarily be due to a faulty seal, but may be due to the fact the engine is tilted back slightly and all the oil is now up against the rear main seal.
There was also a tiny amount of oil on the front bellhousing cover (that sheet metal that bolts to the bottom half of the bellhousing).
Since my timing cover leaks a tiny amount of oil, its possible it could have blown back while driving onto the bellhousing. The underside of the oil pan has a slight misting of oil on it.
Keep in mind, my car doesnt leak any drops of oil on the ground. Its just that a light misting of oil develops around the timing cover.
Do you guys usually replace the rear main seal when doing a clutch change?
Any advice is appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
No, VERIFY where it is coming from and then fix. Do not through your money away, unless you are Bill Gates. A rear seal should last along time, when I thought mine was bad, turned out to be a leaking valve cover gasket.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Clarkston Mi
Ugh. 25k miles on one clutch? Wow.
I may be changing my centerforce pressure plate and friction disk back to my original, becuse I am not crazy about the sounds and noises my centerforce makes.
Anyhow, I would not replace the rear main, unless you are SURE that you have a leak there. Could do more harm than good. Just my .02
I may be changing my centerforce pressure plate and friction disk back to my original, becuse I am not crazy about the sounds and noises my centerforce makes.
Anyhow, I would not replace the rear main, unless you are SURE that you have a leak there. Could do more harm than good. Just my .02
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Plains Ga.
Replacing 1-pc Rear Seal
Originally Posted by hip
The 1 piece seal is a PITA to replace but if it needs it it doesn't inprove with time
MY 2 cents,
JTHVETTE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 23
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by JTHVETTE
It is not hard at all. What I have found that works very well is put two 3" drywall screws into the seal's outer edge, opposite of each other.(just deep enough to get a good bite) Then take a claw hammer and pry the seal out. This might seem crude, but it works. When installing the new seal, use the plastic guide that is provided.
MY 2 cents,
JTHVETTE
MY 2 cents,
JTHVETTE
Bought a higher end FelPro seal from Summit that came with a plastic guide.Make sure to clean the mating surface on the engine well. Mine had some gunk on it and I think that is why it was leaking a little. I cleaned it off with some brake cleaner (or choose your favorite solvent) so it was spotless before the seal went on. Not a drop since.
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