Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not?
Haynes manual says to pull timing cover, some posts in archives say otherwise, Helms manual is still in the mail.
What do you think, is it necessary or preferrable to pull the cover? Should I do it anyways to check/replace timing chain?
:lurk:
What do you think, is it necessary or preferrable to pull the cover? Should I do it anyways to check/replace timing chain?
:lurk:
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (CentralCoaster)
I would pull the cover. Its easy to screw up a seal working in tight situations.And i you said you can inspect chain.For the cost of a new chain,i would put a new one in there.You sure are keeping busy lately.It must be hard fitting in school between all that vette work.I hope you start enjoying her again real soon!! Good Luck!!! :cheers:
One more thing,take a good look at the balancer for wear from seal.I have had to sleave others in the past due to seal leaving a ring in it.
That should be my last edit!!! DOOOOOH!!!!
[Modified by AGENT 86, 6:52 AM 4/29/2003]
[Modified by AGENT 86, 7:07 AM 4/29/2003]
[Modified by AGENT 86, 7:09 AM 4/29/2003]
One more thing,take a good look at the balancer for wear from seal.I have had to sleave others in the past due to seal leaving a ring in it.
That should be my last edit!!! DOOOOOH!!!!
[Modified by AGENT 86, 6:52 AM 4/29/2003]
[Modified by AGENT 86, 7:07 AM 4/29/2003]
[Modified by AGENT 86, 7:09 AM 4/29/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (ciscokid)
I would feel far more comfortable installing that seal on the bench instead of fighting with the crossmember and everything else down in that area. You want to make sure you tap the new seal in as evenly as possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
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From: Sun City West Az
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (scorp508)
:iagree:
That way you can support the cover from underneath by a block of wood while installing the seal straight on the top side. Alos, might as well replace the other 2 seals too while it's on the bench.
[Modified by ittlfly, 7:15 AM 4/29/2003]
That way you can support the cover from underneath by a block of wood while installing the seal straight on the top side. Alos, might as well replace the other 2 seals too while it's on the bench.
[Modified by ittlfly, 7:15 AM 4/29/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Chino Valley AZ
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Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (ittlfly)
I installed mine without pulling the timing cover. If you feel the need to inspect the timing chain and gears ~ then you have your answer ~ but if you just want to get rid of that flippin oil leak quickly with the least amount of hassle ~ then buy a seal puller (less than $10.00), pull the old seal (mine was brittle), and tap in a new one.
If the old seal was brittle ~ then most likely it has worn a groove on the balancer shaft. If so, buy a Speedy sleeve and tap it over the shaft. The speedy sleeves are made of polished Chrome-moly and make for a tight seal.
~ Purp :steering:
If the old seal was brittle ~ then most likely it has worn a groove on the balancer shaft. If so, buy a Speedy sleeve and tap it over the shaft. The speedy sleeves are made of polished Chrome-moly and make for a tight seal.
~ Purp :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
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From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (CentralCoaster)
Another option! ! ! ! !
What I did last time I had the water pump and opti off, I cleaned the area very good then applied black silicone around the shaft. It was days before I turned the engine over so it had time to set up.
I havn't seen a drop for several months now.
I know what you're all saying, of course that won't last very long but at least I postponed the hassle for awhile....
Just a thought.
:lurk:
What I did last time I had the water pump and opti off, I cleaned the area very good then applied black silicone around the shaft. It was days before I turned the engine over so it had time to set up.
I havn't seen a drop for several months now.
I know what you're all saying, of course that won't last very long but at least I postponed the hassle for awhile....
Just a thought.
:lurk:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (AGENT 86)
One more thing,take a good look at the balancer for wear from seal.I have had to sleave others in the past due to seal leaving a ring in it.
Thanks for your help! I wonder if I can send out beer certificates when this is all done. :lol: :cheers:
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 2:44 AM 4/30/2003]
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (CentralCoaster)
If you see a groove,sleeve it!! If your chain has 60,000 on it and a chain costs 20 bucks,put in a new chain.
Le Mans Master
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From: Chino Valley AZ
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Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (CentralCoaster)
As far as the groove is concerned ~ if you can feel it with your thumbnail ~ then install the sleeve. Be carefull when installing the sleeve. You don't want to bend it. Installing the sleeve requires more effort than just sliding it over the balancer hub snout. As far as I'm concerned ~ there are two options for installing the sleeve:
1. Take it to a machine shop (NAPA Auto) and have them press it on.
2. (I do this) Lay a 2x4 on a solid surface
* Apply a light coat of silicone on the inside of the sleeve (it provides lubrication)
* Place the sleeve on the 2x4 (open end up)
* Align your balancer hub over the sleeve and tap it into the sleeve with a mallet. The sleeve should slide all the way on, don't leave any hanging over the end.
If you already have the timing cover off ~ replace the chain. In fact, pay close attention to the cam gear and if it shows wear, replace it too.
~ Purp :steering:
1. Take it to a machine shop (NAPA Auto) and have them press it on.
2. (I do this) Lay a 2x4 on a solid surface
* Apply a light coat of silicone on the inside of the sleeve (it provides lubrication)
* Place the sleeve on the 2x4 (open end up)
* Align your balancer hub over the sleeve and tap it into the sleeve with a mallet. The sleeve should slide all the way on, don't leave any hanging over the end.
If you already have the timing cover off ~ replace the chain. In fact, pay close attention to the cam gear and if it shows wear, replace it too.
~ Purp :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (PurpleC4)
As far as the groove is concerned ~ if you can feel it with your thumbnail ~ then install the sleeve. Be carefull when installing the sleeve. You don't want to bend it. Installing the sleeve requires more effort than just sliding it over the balancer hub snout. As far as I'm concerned ~ there are two options for installing the sleeve:
1. Take it to a machine shop (NAPA Auto) and have them press it on.
2. (I do this) Lay a 2x4 on a solid surface
* Apply a light coat of silicone on the inside of the sleeve (it provides lubrication)
* Place the sleeve on the 2x4 (open end up)
* Align your balancer hub over the sleeve and tap it into the sleeve with a mallet. The sleeve should slide all the way on, don't leave any hanging over the end.
If you already have the timing cover off ~ replace the chain. In fact, pay close attention to the cam gear and if it shows wear, replace it too.
~ Purp :steering:
1. Take it to a machine shop (NAPA Auto) and have them press it on.
2. (I do this) Lay a 2x4 on a solid surface
* Apply a light coat of silicone on the inside of the sleeve (it provides lubrication)
* Place the sleeve on the 2x4 (open end up)
* Align your balancer hub over the sleeve and tap it into the sleeve with a mallet. The sleeve should slide all the way on, don't leave any hanging over the end.
If you already have the timing cover off ~ replace the chain. In fact, pay close attention to the cam gear and if it shows wear, replace it too.
~ Purp :steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 6,272
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From: Chino Valley AZ
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Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (94vette)
94vette,
You can get them at most any Auto Parts store. If you can wait until you can get the balancer off ~ it helps to take it with you and match the sleeve to the shaft diameter. Sometime the stores handle more than one brand ~ so I like to compare. Some call it a balancer repair sleeve ~ I have heard others refer to it as a Speedy Sleeve.
Remember that the sleeve is a very close tolerance fit.
~ Purp :steering:
You can get them at most any Auto Parts store. If you can wait until you can get the balancer off ~ it helps to take it with you and match the sleeve to the shaft diameter. Sometime the stores handle more than one brand ~ so I like to compare. Some call it a balancer repair sleeve ~ I have heard others refer to it as a Speedy Sleeve.
Remember that the sleeve is a very close tolerance fit.
~ Purp :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (94vette)
I've heard that the kit is called a "sleeve and seal" kit. Do it, because my '92 Yukon leaks like a sieve (sp?) because I didn't use the kit.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Front main seal replacement: Pull timing cover or not? (Siveck)
Yup, sleeve n seal is correct. I haven't put it on yet, but I think I will.
I replaced the nylon cam gear with a steel one. That front main seal was a PITA to remove! It was seized in the cover good. I kinda bent the cover there, even with supporting it while trying to tap the seal out. Hopefully I can get it back to where it was.
I replaced the nylon cam gear with a steel one. That front main seal was a PITA to remove! It was seized in the cover good. I kinda bent the cover there, even with supporting it while trying to tap the seal out. Hopefully I can get it back to where it was.
