LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Rear Main Seal

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Old 03-23-2005, 06:27 PM
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Rear Main Seal

I will be replacing the rear main seal on my motor. I have the trann removed, flywheel is off. Do I just rip the seal off where the crank is? Drop the pan and replace that one too? Has anyone done this before? Some tips would be helpful.
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:36 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

i could be wrong but i THINK its one of the pop in type seals. A friend of mine did it to my car back when I got the tranny rebuilt. If i remember correctly he did not have to remove the oil pan. I could be wrong so dont quote me on this.

hope that helps
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:41 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Flywheel just needs to come off. Get a seal puller or scrwew driver to pry the old one off then put the new one in.
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:42 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Are you SURE it's your rear main seal that's bad? I thought mine was bad, and turned out to be the classic "rear intake manifold leak"...
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:47 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

yeah, it's leaking....each time i drove the car, there would be a few droplets of oil. it's not from my intake. I have he seal kit and there is like 3 pieces to it.
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:53 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

I have some pics that I will post links to when i get home. You guys can give me your opinions.
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:56 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

i thought there was a special installation tool required? idk for sure so don't qoute me on that
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Old 03-23-2005, 06:56 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Nope, i've always used something round and a hammer. For the old style cars they used to have a snake that would go in and grab the rear main seal.
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Old 03-23-2005, 07:17 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

If all that is leaking is the round piece going around the crank, then that is all you need to replace. No need to remove the pan or the seal housing. No special tools required to remove. Install like you would any round seal.
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Old 03-23-2005, 07:20 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Replaced mine when I put in my Spec 3... I went to Home Depot and sized up the seal with a PVC pipe adapter (or just buy a piece of PVC conduit)--I think it was around 4", cost less than $2. Put the seal in place, then the PVC pipe, a piece of wood and hit it with a rubber mallat a few times. ALSO, before removing the original seal, look to see how far it goes into the crank, this will help you to determine how far to drive the new seal in. I also had a leak around that area--as a precaution, I put a bunch of black RTV (the Right Stuff--Napa) around the rear of my oil pan gasket. So far, no leaks.....
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Old 03-23-2005, 10:48 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Here is a link to a picture...it's definately leaking
http://pro-mos.com/gixxer/oil2.jpg
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Old 03-23-2005, 10:53 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

Depending on how many miles are on it, you might want to think about changing the pilot bearing while you have access to it.
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Old 03-23-2005, 10:54 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

the car is a 1994 and has 26k. I will replace pilot bearing and seal. It does seem like its a leaker right?
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Old 03-23-2005, 10:56 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

when replacing the bottom one, is there a poxy or glue i need to use? Or is it just take the old one out and put the new one in?
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Old 03-23-2005, 11:06 PM
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Re: Rear Main Seal

I always put a little oil around the lips of the new seal to be sure it doesn't burn up. Thats all that is necessary.
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