Rear Main Seal w/ paper gasket
 

when I got my felpro rear main seal it also came some type of paper gasket. Maybe called a rear main seal adaptor gasket? Anyway, what is this paper gasket for? where does it go? And is it necessary to replace? Can I just replace the RMS and forget the paper one? Can the paper gasket be a source of leaks even if I replace the RMS?

The half moon paper gasket is for the rear main bearing seal housing to block seal. The housing is bolted to the back of the block with 3 bolts and a nut/stud. The housing is what the big, round seal fits in. The oil pan has to be removed to replace the half moon seal. I guess it depends on what amount of tear down you have as to whether you should replace the gasket. If the pan is off, it would probably be a good idea. If the pan is not off and you can verify no leakage from that area, then it's your call. :)

sounds like a pain in the @ss to do the half moon. I'll probably pass, unless it looks as if its leaking. RMS seems to be the main source of such leaks.
thanks for the reply

I'm in the midst of doing a clutch replacement and I want to do the rear main seal. Is it OK to do just the seal or should I replace that half moon gasket? The tranny is already off (obviously), but i'd rather not have to drop the oil pan if I don't have to. Opinions/suggestions? Also, if you got part #'s feel free to post 'em. Thanks!!

Same advice as above. The oil pan has to come down for the rear main housing to come off.

visual