We are replacing the Opti in our 1996 Z28. We just installed a new seal in the timing cover and are ready to mount the new Opti.
We installed the seal in the standard fashion - raised face of the seal out with the lip of the seal facing inward. Is this correct? One of us has a haunting recollection that the lip faces the opposite direction.
What's the correct procedure?

Thanks,
R & K

 

I haven't seen a 95-97 motor myself, but any lip seal should have its primary lip facing into the side it's supposed to seal in. Some seals do have a smaller secondary lip to provide limited protection against stuff entering the sealed space, but it's basically a tiny appendage on the primary lip. The object of this seal is to keep oil from leaving the motor and dripping/spraying into the opti, so the lip should face into the motor.

 

http://shbox.com/1/opti_seal.jpg

 

I found the pic on Shoebox's site after a search yesterday.
Thanks very much for the replies!