seal installation problem...help

[tred95]

Has anyone ever replaced the seals in the front engine cover of an LT1? I have, but the water pump stub shaft is giving me grief. I measured the shaft and it is .698-.699. When I try to put the cover back in place, the shaft will not enter the seal without destroying it.
So I got a new seal and pressed it in, but before I ruin the next one, I'm going to wait for some feedback from you folks.
Maybe I need to make an adapter to slip over the stub shaft that will expand the seal enough to seat on the shaft.

Thanks much in advance...

Pete

 

[Rabbit]

No experience with them. The manual indicates a tool no. J 35468, front cover alignment & oil seal installer. Also J39937 timing cover/distributor shaft seal installer & J 39088 driven gear shaft front cover seal installer.

Wish I could be more help, but.....

 

[tred95]

Thanks Rabbit...

After I looked closer in the manual like I should have done before I ruined the first one, I saw the picture of the tool that is needed for the installation.
It is just a tapered thingy that slips over the water pump drive stud and eases the seal into position. I got a guy to make me one in at work.
I got my cover back on now. All I need is the Opti and a new water pump and I might be ready by mid-spring.

Thanks again,

Pete

 

[compyelc4]

tred95,

Curious. Did you have to drop your pan to get the front cover off?

If so, was it a big deal?

Ted

 

[tred95]

Ted,
The manual calls for the oil pan to be removed so I went ahead and did it that way because I wanted to replace the oil pan gasket right away. But to get the oil pan off you have to remove the passenger side cat, the starter, and the oil filter mounting assembly.
I guy in at work said that I could have probably just loosened the pan bolts enough to clear the bottom of the front cover. That probably would have worked, but then I would have also broken the rear and front rtv seals that the manual calls for.
But getting the oil pan back on with the gasket in place was a real trial, 1st attempt was aborted because I had a crank throw in the way. 2nd time was no picnic because the front main cap kept pushing the gasket off its seat. I finally pulled the gasket in place from the top. Also I found out that three of the front oil pan screws are accessed better from the top.
I still don't have everything in place underneath because I want to replace the fuel filter as long as I have that cat off.
INTERESTING OBSERVATION...I cleaned up the opti with degreaser and water figuring since I ordered a new one anyway it couldn't hurt. When I pulled it apart it was dry and very clean on the inside. The rotor and the contact points on the cap showed just slight wear. I'm wondering now if I'm replacing a good opti. Well maybe I have a good spare now.
This reply got longer than I wanted.....
Later,
Pete

 

[wx briefer]

No need to remove cat. Just place socket up into opening and onto starter nut and then use a 'wobble' extension on the socket.
One might be able to wrap the shaft with stiff paper and taper it toward the front so that after cover is in place you can simple pull it off. I used the tool, however, from SPX kentmoore.

 

[tred95]

WX...
I will definitely try that next time...hopefully it won't be for awhile.

Pete