Rear main Seal

[mattbta]

Good opportunity to replace that plastic barbell with a billet one.

LS Billet BarBell/ Oil Diverter

The Oil Gallery Barbell in your LS GM Gen III & IV based engine is something that is over looked. Stops unfiltered oil and improves oil flow.

www.saccitycorvette.com

 

[lspann3525]

Ok I will look into this as well. Looking at the rear right corner of the oil pan gasket the rubber molding broke. So looks like I have to change it too!!

 

[89Suburban]

Ok I will look into this as well. Looking at the rear right corner of the oil pan gasket the rubber molding broke. So looks like I have to change it too!!

Now you got me wondering if that was the source of the leak all along and not the R/M seal. Certainly is motivation for me to attack the pan gasket first instead of the R/M.

 

[lspann3525]

Im thinking the rear seal and the oil pan were leaking. Ive replaced the oil pan gasket several times. This will be the 3rd time. Each time I kept getting oil between the oil pan and bellhousing but not much. But recently the oil leak increased. I just ordered another fel pro gasket and pickup tube gasket. I guess i'll get the pan installed before I do the rear cover seal

 

[Rocket Man]

Im thinking the rear seal and the oil pan were leaking. Ive replaced the oil pan gasket several times. This will be the 3rd time. Each time I kept getting oil between the oil pan and bellhousing but not much. But recently the oil leak increased. I just ordered another fel pro gasket and pickup tube gasket. I guess i'll get the pan installed before I do the rear cover seal

There should be no leaking if you install the oil pan gasket correctly. It’s critical that it’s done like the service manual states. If you’re just installing it without following the correct procedure it will leak. There’s a specific bolt tightening sequence as well as the dabs of RTV at the 4 locations where the front and rear covers meet. The pan has to be exactly flush with the rear of the block also. Same with the rear cover. The rear cover, oil pan, and transmission all work together. That’s why I was suggesting you get access to a service manual via alldatadiy. You can get a 1- month for $20. I would post pics of the procedure but the only subscription I have right now is for my 02. I let my 08 expire. You might be able to find the procedures for the 6l80 trucks online.

 

[lspann3525]

Well I got the rear cover and gasket all torqued down per instructions. Did I only need to add rtv in the corners once I get the pan installed?

Watched a few youtube videos of guys installing rear main seal cover with no rtv because the oil pan was not present. and he added the rtv at the four corners once he got ready to install the oil pan. After tons of searching Im seeing people are doing this repair different ways.

I bought the AllDataDiy for my truck but it sort of told me information that I already knew. It doesnt say much about torque sequences and specs.

 

[Rocket Man]

Well I got the rear cover and gasket all torqued down per instructions. Did I only need to add rtv in the corners once I get the pan installed?

Watched a few youtube videos of guys installing rear main seal cover with no rtv because the oil pan was not present. and he added the rtv at the four corners once he got ready to install the oil pan. After tons of searching Im seeing people are doing this repair different ways.

I bought the AllDataDiy for my truck but it sort of told me information that I already knew. It doesnt say much about torque sequences and specs.

Alldatadiy does show torque specs , you might not be using it right. Every torque spec is listed under “specifications” then look under “ mechanical specifications”. This is on the right hand side on the main page. As for the RTV, it goes at the 4 locations called for in the instructions. For the pan it’s easiest and best to look at the section dedicated to it as follows:

The pan removal and install procedure, bolt tightening sequence, and torque specs are all listed under “Engine- then “oil pan” then under oil pan information you’ll see “service and repair “ and then “ oil pan replacement”.

Take some time to get used to alldatadiy. It has every bit of information the dealer service department uses, the entire service manual set of 4-5 volumes. There’s nothing on these trucks that’s not covered, you just have to figure out how to find it. Be glad it’s digital, the books take forever to look stuff up.

 

[lspann3525]

Thanks I see now. But the procedures only show the process for if I had the transmission installed....I was going to try to install the rear cover then oil pan then once im able to see if's flush with the engine then I was going to mount the transmission. Am I able to do it this way or do I have to mount the transmission before the oil pan...the procedure wants me to snug the transmission to oil pan bolts but again the transmission is not hooked up.

 

[lspann3525]

And once I get the oil pan and starter back on what all has to be connected for me to crank the engine to check for leaks...

I was going to try to leave the transmission disconnected so I can see if it still leaks

 

[Rocket Man]

Thanks I see now. But the procedures only show the process for if I had the transmission installed....I was going to try to install the rear cover then oil pan then once im able to see if's flush with the engine then I was going to mount the transmission. Am I able to do it this way or do I have to mount the transmission before the oil pan...the procedure wants me to snug the transmission to oil pan bolts but again the transmission is not hooked up.

You can do it without the trans installed, just make sure the oil pan is flush with the back of the block. Disregard the part about snugging the transmission to oil pan bolts, but be sure to flush the pan to the block at the rear.

 

[Rocket Man]

And once I get the oil pan and starter back on what all has to be connected for me to crank the engine to check for leaks...

I was going to try to leave the transmission disconnected so I can see if it still leaks

I’m not sure about that. Hopefully someone else will chime in. I know you’re going to throw a bunch of codes which can be cleared once the transmission is reconnected but I have no experience with the 4l80. It will not start without the neutral safety switch telling the ECM it’s in neutral or park, I know that much. Not sure what other things it’s looking for before it gets the ok to start the engine.

 

[lspann3525]

Last night got the rear cover and gasket on. I tried my best to make sure the cover is flush with the block. One thing I did notice was the bottom edge of the gasket was protuding a little too much so I loosened the bolts and gently moved it up a little.

Another thing that had me curious was the instructions that came with my rear seal instructed me to tighten the rear cover bolts to 22 ft lb. I researched off google and alldatadiy it was suppose to be 18ft lb. I contacted tech support and they told me that the engineers said it was tested and best to be torqued to 22ft lb.

The Oil Pan gasket and O-ring for the pickup tube should be here tomorrow. Hopefully I can replace it without any issues. Then next up will be the transmission seals. This little trans jack I bought 20 years ago from harbor freight came in handy. Used it a few times to change a transmissions on my older fords and chevys.

 

[Rocket Man]

I would use a metal straight edge to line that up, like the metal ruler on a t-square, to simulate the trans being there. Maybe just check, I think it looks fine but it’s hard to tell. And those gaps right where the cover meets the block- that’s where the RTV goes when you install the pan. You’re just filling that gap because the gasket can’t seal a gap.

 

[lspann3525]

anyone used the duralast transmission seal 3227???

 

[lspann3525]

what are yall guys using to get the old transfer case gasket off the case well around the bolt holes. the gasket almost feels as hard as concrete..im trying to scrap them but I will be forever

 

[89Suburban]

what are yall guys using to get the old transfer case gasket off the case well around the bolt holes. the gasket almost feels as hard as concrete..im trying to scrap them but I will be forever

I remember they made a spray can gasket dissolver years ago. Been a while since I used it.

 

[Fless]

WAG: wonder if a magic eraser wheel would work on that.

 

[Rocket Man]

what are yall guys using to get the old transfer case gasket off the case well around the bolt holes. the gasket almost feels as hard as concrete..im trying to scrap them but I will be forever

I generally use a gasket scraper. A straight edge razor blade will work too. Combine those with a solvent like lacquer thinner.

 

[lspann3525]

Im wondering if brake cleaner will loosen up the old gasket. I got tired and called it a day. Hopefully someone has ran into this issue.


Also does it look like my transfer case adapter is cracked or is that just the way its designed

 

[Rocket Man]

View attachment 397132

Im wondering if brake cleaner will loosen up the old gasket. I got tired and called it a day. Hopefully someone has ran into this issue.


Also does it look like my transfer case adapter is cracked or is that just the way its designed

View attachment 397133

The gasket scraper tool I referenced will work on that. Harbor Freight sells them under “scraper”. Anybody that’s worked on something with a gasket has run into this.

Scraper Set, 4 Piece

Amazing deals on this 4 Pc Scraper Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com