Does This Bearing Look Bad?

[saopm]

Last winter I changed the rear main seal. I put the motor back together but I still see some oil on the garage floor. When I had it apart I took a picture of the rear main bearing. Can anyone tell me if the wear pattern looks bad? I am going to pull the motor soon due to some head work needed and to replace the clutch. I am debating having the head done vs. having the motor rebuild.

 

[Vettsmith]

saopm

That bearing has normal wear but is not wearing even on the full bearing.
Did you put some sealent on the flange that the seal is on or just on the ends?

vettsmith

 

[John Mcgraw]

The wear pattern looks pretty good to me. You might want to try offsetting the joint in the seal with the split in the block. Slide the seal in a little so that the ends of the seal do not land at the same place as the parting line of the block and cap. Go way easier on the silicone than that as well. the use of silicone should be limited to just a thin smear on the ends of the seal. That much will extrude out and can actually promote leaks.

Regards, John McGraw

 

[saopm]

I just put sealant on the ends and I also made the offset when I reinstalled the cap. Maybe the leak is due to the excess sealant. I’m only getting a few drips here and there. I'll replace it agin when I pull the moter. Thanks for your advise.

Tim

 

[paul67]

Here are the instructions from GM. They actually recommend not putting sealant on the seal itself.

 

[gmjunkie]

The wear pattern looks pretty good to me. You might want to try offsetting the joint in the seal with the split in the block. Slide the seal in a little so that the ends of the seal do not land at the same place as the parting line of the block and cap. Go way easier on the silicone than that as well. the use of silicone should be limited to just a thin smear on the ends of the seal. That much will extrude out and can actually promote leaks.

Regards, John McGraw

Look's Good to Me Too!! I think John's Got the Right answer ,Stagering the seal a tad and silicone just on the end's!! Make shur that it isn't your Dist seal or back of Intake leaking!! junk!!

 

[IH2LOSE]

JUST SAY NO O OIL LEAKS


I did this on my 66 a while ago. I was searching for the post.

I may have posted the question on the NCRS site. Anyways when I did mine it was suggested to get an oversized rear main bearing seal.incase the crank had funney wear on it. and to stager the rear seal.

Stagering the seal is just a matter of letting one end protrude out of the block by about 1/4" or less.

I dont remember if I got the oversized seal ot not but I did stager the seal and have been leak free since.

Best of luck.