Rear Main Bearing Oil Seal: Installation

1. Fabricate an oil seal installation tool. See Fig 1. Coat seal lips with engine oil. Keep oil off of seal ends.
2. Position tool between crankshaft and seal groove in cylinder block. Position seal between tip of tool and crankshaft, with oil seal lip toward front of engine. See Fig 2.
3. Roll seal around crankshaft, using tool as a "shoehorn" to protect seal from sharp corner of seal groove in cylinder block. Leave tool in position, until both ends of seal are flush with block.
4. Install lower seal into bearing cap, using tool as a "shoehorn". Feed seal into cap using light pressure with thumb and finger. Apply sealer to cap-to-block mating surface of cylinder block, being careful to keep sealer off the seal split line. Install and tighten rear main bearing cap.

Fig 1: Rear Main Oil Seal Installation Tool

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Fig 2: Rear Main Bearing Oil Seal Identification

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.