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From: The artist formally known as NONO5.0 Mobile, Al
Rear main seal cover replacement?!!??!
Ok so I got a new rear main seal cover that already has the center rear main seal installed which is great b/c I can replace both gaskets at the same time
HOWEVER...is this possible with the bell housing still attached? (of course I've removed everything else and of course the flywheel/clutch assembly are out of there but...) b/c other than pulling the engine, I don't see how in the world you'd get the bell housing bolts out and even if ya did, don't see how you'd get them back in again.
Also, will I need to replace the pan gasket as well? I see the two bolts that go through the bottom to the rear cover and noticed the pan gasket runs across there as well.
One last stupid question, should I put any RTV on the cover gasket before install or just bolt it up?
I replaced the bell housing with the engine still in the car TWICE and didn't have any problems accessing the bell housing bolts. Sure its tough but its doable.. Just need the correct swivels and extensions and wrenches.
I don't think you can get all the bolts out of the rear cover with the bell housing still attached.
You can put a very thin film of RTV on the gasket if you want BUT, it really isn't necessary. Just put some in the corners.
There is a rear main seal tool that needs to be used when you install a seal to keep the LIPS from folding over the wrong way. Look into that.
Last edited by Bill Curlee; May 6, 2016 at 12:18 PM.
Make sure u use the BLACK rtv and clean the area VERY WELL! as for the tool I went to Home Depot and got a pvc schedule 80 end cap for $3 and worked great, used it for 5 seals so far with no issues.
There appears to be a plastic piece already inside the seal, and it's likely there to ensure the cover gets installed correctly.
That's actually to keep the seal wipers or lips if u will, from flipping over during install. Gm redesigned the seal after having issues from what I've read.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
and thanks everyone for all the advice!! I really appreciate it!!! 
Rear main seal cover replacement?!!??!
(of course I've removed everything else and of course the flywheel/clutch assembly are out of there but...) b/c other than pulling the engine, I don't see how in the world you'd get the bell housing bolts out and even if ya did, don't see how you'd get them back in again. 
CRAP!!! That's EXACTLY why I bought the cover instead of just the seal 
I was hoping I wouldn't need any special tools to install it 
