[Baddawg53]

As the title says, are these seals meant to be installed dry, or a light film of oil on the crank? I can't seem to find any info.

[Tim M]

I used a light coating of oil on my installation. No leaks noted. It is slides across the crank so...

[Baddawg53]

The light coating seems like it would be the better way, thanks.

[GreyGhost702]

Just did both front/rear seals. Just to be specific, the cover to seal install should always be 100% clean/dry. The seal to crank/pulley I've done both ways on previous vehicles and never had one fail/leak done dry or wet. But I used a finger dab of clean oil on this build.

[Baddawg53]

Originally Posted by GreyGhost702

Just did both front/rear seals. Just to be specific, the cover to seal install should always be 100% clean/dry. The seal to crank/pulley I've done both ways on previous vehicles and never had one fail/leak done dry or wet. But I used a finger dab of clean oil on this build.

I was taught way back in the day to always lube seals with what they're sealing.

[GreyGhost702]

Originally Posted by Baddawg53

I was taught way back in the day to always lube seals with what they're sealing.

Same. But in regard to the seal install to the cover, it's a machined fitment for the seal itself, lubricating this fitment could reduce the hold on the seal. But I assume you're meaning the seal against the crank end that turns, which I agree, I like to do a wet seal, just a finger dab of oil. Again, just did this myself last week.

[Baddawg53]

Originally Posted by GreyGhost702

Same. But in regard to the seal install to the cover, it's a machined fitment for the seal itself, lubricating this fitment could reduce the hold on the seal. But I assume you're meaning the seal against the crank end that turns, which I agree, I like to do a wet seal, just a finger dab of oil. Again, just did this myself last week.

Yes, exactly, the seal to the crank not the seal to the housing. I just did this too, ended up with a massive oil leak. I think I messed up the housing to block seal where it meets the pan, tons of oil everywhere so kinda tough to tell.

[GreyGhost702]

Originally Posted by Baddawg53

Yes, exactly, the seal to the crank not the seal to the housing. I just did this too, ended up with a massive oil leak. I think I messed up the housing to block seal where it meets the pan, tons of oil everywhere so kinda tough to tell.

That's the one thing I'm worried about, as well. The whole engine is essentially just RTV sealed. I much prefer a rubberized plastic gasket on the oil pan. On the Mustang's back in the SN95 and S197 days it was like this and you just needed a dab of RTV where the covers and pan met the gasket.

I was very careful to keep the RTV bead thickness to what the manual called for and where it was supposed to go... I really hope that shit doesn't leak. Dropping the pan really isn't an option to me, the whole ****in thing would have to come out. Not gonna struggle on back to try and peel that oil pan off under the car. It was a job just to remove the pan the first time without marring up surfaces. I ended up using a plastic putty knife and plastic razor blades. It would have been a nightmare to remove with the engine in. Unless you can drop the cradle completely out of the way. Not really optimal without a lift.

[Baddawg53]

Yea, I've gotten super good at taking the engine out. Only took me 4 hours on Sunday. Hopefully I never have to do it again.

I'm replacing everything this time, pan, seal housing and seal. I don't think anything is wrong with them but I'm tired of taking the engine out

[GreyGhost702]

Originally Posted by Baddawg53

Yea, I've gotten super good at taking the engine out. Only took me 4 hours on Sunday. Hopefully I never have to do it again.

I'm replacing everything this time, pan, seal housing and seal. I don't think anything is wrong with them but I'm tired of taking the engine out

My build has made me want to gouge out GM engineers eyeballs more than usual. I think resto-mod may be my next thing, lol.