Rear main install
11-27-2021, 06:51 PM
#21
How about a double "the material might be different" with a shot of "it's been 20 years"? 
If the original GM part in ... whatever year ... was ... iunno, neoprene let's say (no idea, just throwing stuff names out there to make the point) and THAT doesn't need lube, but the new material that's all you can buy now, since ... oh, ... 10 years later, let's say ... is silicone, or Teflon, or ... iunno, nonobtanium .., YATHINK that might affect the pre-lubricant recommendations?
Apart from all that, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN to that seal THE VERY FIRST TIME you crank up the motor? Is it going to NEVER get a molecule of oil on it just because you didn't put any on it at installation? How can putting motor oil on ANY rear main seal, EVER, hurt ANYTHING? If it did, it wouldn't be much of an oil seal, now would it?
FIND / FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING instead of being a slave to "book says". The FSM is the "gold standard" for LOTS of things; but not EVERYTHING. And even when it is, it helps to UNDERSTAND WHY it says what it says, rather than, "book says" and close your mind from there on out. Kind of like the religious fanatics of all sorts do. Makes them a laughingstock.
If the original GM part in ... whatever year ... was ... iunno, neoprene let's say (no idea, just throwing stuff names out there to make the point) and THAT doesn't need lube, but the new material that's all you can buy now, since ... oh, ... 10 years later, let's say ... is silicone, or Teflon, or ... iunno, nonobtanium .., YATHINK that might affect the pre-lubricant recommendations?Apart from all that, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN to that seal THE VERY FIRST TIME you crank up the motor? Is it going to NEVER get a molecule of oil on it just because you didn't put any on it at installation? How can putting motor oil on ANY rear main seal, EVER, hurt ANYTHING? If it did, it wouldn't be much of an oil seal, now would it?
FIND / FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING instead of being a slave to "book says". The FSM is the "gold standard" for LOTS of things; but not EVERYTHING. And even when it is, it helps to UNDERSTAND WHY it says what it says, rather than, "book says" and close your mind from there on out. Kind of like the religious fanatics of all sorts do. Makes them a laughingstock.
11-27-2021, 07:06 PM
#22
I never thought about it that much, but I truly don't disagree. I however am very thankful for my C5 and MR2 FSMs because they offer torque specs, troubleshooting and assembly instructions. Also cool toilet time reading
I couldn't bring myself to install that seal dry. I just couldn't. So it got that light coat of 5w30 💪🏻
I couldn't bring myself to install that seal dry. I just couldn't. So it got that light coat of 5w30 💪🏻
11-27-2021, 09:20 PM
#23
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
On a side note though can we take a moment to appreciate how crisp those photos came out? Like god damn looks like I was shooting a movie or something lmfao
The following 2 users liked this post by shakenfake:
3wide (11-28-2021),
zz454Chevelle67 (11-29-2021)
11-27-2021, 11:08 PM
#25
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
I can't get over how sick that photo looks, maybe I am weird tho
11-30-2021, 02:09 AM
#26
100% Redneck
Originally Posted by Motortrend
Resist the urge to lubricate the lip seal during installation! GM and Fel-Pro both state that the oil seal is installed dry and will "seat in" during normal use.
Originally Posted by The Engine Builder
LS rear main seal needs to be installed dry.The seal will transfer a layer of PTFE to the crankshaft surfaces that the lip will ride on. The transfer layer prevents wear while sealing better than a silicone or Viton material. If the seal is installed with a coating of oil, it will start to leak in a few miles.
Originally Posted by FelPro
PTFE Rear Main Seal (best materiel currently available) must be installed dry.
Originally Posted by Auto Service Professional
Do not apply any lubricant to either the crank flange or the seal lips. The seal must be installed dry to the crank. If the seal lips are lubed prior to installation, there’s a very good chance that the seal will leak.
Last edited by RedXray; 11-30-2021 at 02:26 AM.
11-30-2021, 02:24 AM
#27
100% Redneck
Everyone knows I'm the resident "photo *****"...
like the old saying "a picture is worth a million words"
I'm more impressed your wheel barrels are clean! The amateur and weekend warrior detailer always forget to address the inner wheels. Your wheels have big enough openings where you can fist a wash mitt through to clean... no special brushes or wheel woollies needed
Photo ***** Warning!
During tire rotation is the perfect time to do a thorough cleaning of the barrels
Last edited by RedXray; 11-30-2021 at 02:34 AM.
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arthursc2 (11-30-2021)
11-30-2021, 08:13 AM
#28
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
Haha I try to keepem clean. Tonight I am going to re torque all the bolts on the rear main plate. I don't like how I did it so I'm going to back each one off and then torque down. Feel like I over tightened, I was using the crappy torque wrench with no feedback
The following 2 users liked this post by arthursc2:
shakenfake (11-30-2021),
zz454Chevelle67 (11-30-2021)
