Rear Main Bearing Oil Seal: Installation

1. Fabricate an oil seal installer if not supplied with replacement oil seal. See Fig 1. Coat seal lips with engine oil. Keep oil off of seal ends.
2. Position installer between crankshaft and seal groove in cylinder block. Position seal between tip of installer and crankshaft, with oil seal lip toward front of engine. See Fig 2.
3. Roll seal around crankshaft, using installer as a "shoehorn" to protect seal from sharp corner of seal groove in cylinder block. Leave installer in position, until both ends of seal are flush with block.
4. Install lower seal into bearing cap. 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 Installer

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Fig 2: Rear Main Bearing Oil Seal Identification

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.