Upgraded rear engine cover?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
Upgraded rear engine cover?
I had the clutch, flywheel, slave, master cylinder replaced and rebuilt the driveline in the torque tube. I also had the shop install this upgraded rear engine cover from C&S with the RMS. 40 miles after completion and it’s leaking engine oil from this cover. Now I get to pay another $3400 for the shop to replace it with a genuine gm part. Unbelievable. Stay far away from these engine plates, I guess, is my warning. I went genuine gm for everything else. Lesson learned.
https://www.corvettepartscenter.com/collections/c5/products/97-13-corvette-upgraded-engine-plate-rear-main-seal
https://www.corvettepartscenter.com/collections/c5/products/97-13-corvette-upgraded-engine-plate-rear-main-seal
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
I had the clutch, flywheel, slave, master cylinder replaced and rebuilt the driveline in the torque tube. I also had the shop install this upgraded rear engine cover from C&S with the RMS. 40 miles after completion and it’s leaking engine oil from this cover. Now I get to pay another $3400 for the shop to replace it with a genuine gm part. Unbelievable. Stay far away from these engine plates, I guess, is my warning. I went genuine gm for everything else. Lesson learned.
https://www.corvettepartscenter.com/...rear-main-seal
https://www.corvettepartscenter.com/...rear-main-seal
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
C&S explains the improvements they made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGmdWXMTvQ
I have been interested in this one as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CGmdWXMTvQ
I have been interested in this one as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
IMO most failures of the updated GM rear cover are due to installation error (incorrect bolts, powerful impact tools, not lining up the cover correctly, etc.)
I don't know anyone with the C&S version but I don't doubt they could create a more robust design.
Between the 3 LS motors I've owned, 4 more which I assist in maintaining or are in the family, I've had one rear main leak which may have been any combination of the cover, rear main seal, or gasket between the cover and block. It was on a 20 year old factory installed part with over 200k miles.
I don't know anyone with the C&S version but I don't doubt they could create a more robust design.
Between the 3 LS motors I've owned, 4 more which I assist in maintaining or are in the family, I've had one rear main leak which may have been any combination of the cover, rear main seal, or gasket between the cover and block. It was on a 20 year old factory installed part with over 200k miles.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
From: Cleveland, Ohio
The rear cover C&S sales is just a Dorman # 635-518. Got one they didn't completely wipe the Dorman name and part number off. Even the box had the Dorman logo. They sell it for $90. Summit Racing has it for $48 if you really want to use the Dorman part over OEM.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
My shop warned me about the Dorman rear cover. I said I wanted it installed anyway since I trusted Lyle’s video. My fault ultimately. I brought the part to the table. My shop sourced the upgraded genuine GM part and it’s not leaking now. Like I said, my lesson is learned.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
Of note, my shop would not install the clutch remote bleeder hose I bought from C&S. They said too many failures with it leaking so I do appreciate their advice on this.
My shop has done over a hundred C5-C7 clutch jobs so loads of experience. My tech there says he now will push back on this Dorman rear engine cover if it is provided in the future. He won’t install it. We could see it did not seat flat and the oil pan gasket could be wiggled from the gap.
My shop has done over a hundred C5-C7 clutch jobs so loads of experience. My tech there says he now will push back on this Dorman rear engine cover if it is provided in the future. He won’t install it. We could see it did not seat flat and the oil pan gasket could be wiggled from the gap.
