LT1 - front seals
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
LT1 - front seals
One of the front seals is leaking already on my motor. Had all three replaced just a year ago. I've also got a friend that owns a shop that's had to replace the opti seal on a 96 four times in just the last couple of months (last couple the car never left the shop). Both mechanics are using the proper tool to set the seal, but yet both cars keep leaking. Are the GM seals still the only way to go, or are there other options that might work better? Are there any options? I've done a little searching (like on rockauto), but haven't found anything that looked promising. Thanks.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Allentown Area PA
Just some ideas. I know on my '92 the timing cover gasket was weeping a little and may make it appear that one of the front seals are leaking. You mention proper seal tools. Are they using the bullet shaped tool to install the water pump seal - this one is a little tricky even with the seal installation tool. From what I read, the water pump seal should be put in dry. I got a little mis-aligned installing it the first time and decided to pull it and put another in so I would not have to re-live the job again. Is the water pump seal the one that could be leaking down towards the opti seal?
As far as the opti seal - I didn't feel it was the best or robust I've seen as far a design. This seal went in easily for me - almost too easy It felt like it would go in too far if push enough. My only thought here is that there may have been too much wrestling around with installing the opti since lining up the splines can be a bit tedious. The first opti I installed (Chandler- died in one year), I got lucky and the spline line up perfectly - didn't need to take the cap off to fuss with it. The second opti (MSD - almost done installation), fit too tight and I had to wire brush the spines to get a fit. This meant multiple mountings to get a smooth fit which I hope did not "exercise the seal very much.
Good Luck
As far as the opti seal - I didn't feel it was the best or robust I've seen as far a design. This seal went in easily for me - almost too easy It felt like it would go in too far if push enough. My only thought here is that there may have been too much wrestling around with installing the opti since lining up the splines can be a bit tedious. The first opti I installed (Chandler- died in one year), I got lucky and the spline line up perfectly - didn't need to take the cap off to fuss with it. The second opti (MSD - almost done installation), fit too tight and I had to wire brush the spines to get a fit. This meant multiple mountings to get a smooth fit which I hope did not "exercise the seal very much.
Good Luck
Last edited by JohnnyRedVet; Sep 13, 2012 at 11:26 AM. Reason: Typo
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
One of the front seals is leaking already on my motor. Had all three replaced just a year ago. I've also got a friend that owns a shop that's had to replace the opti seal on a 96 four times in just the last couple of months (last couple the car never left the shop). Both mechanics are using the proper tool to set the seal, but yet both cars keep leaking. Are the GM seals still the only way to go, or are there other options that might work better? Are there any options? I've done a little searching (like on rockauto), but haven't found anything that looked promising. Thanks.
I've used GM and FelPro seals with success.
