I think a lot of people just shove in a new one without removing the housing or cleaning the end of the crank. The only problems are a dirty seal surface, being pushed so far back that the spring is past the seating area, and not being reasonably square, ie within .01". It's not rocket science just a seal.

 

Great info guys,

 

so whats was causing the oil leak?

 

Here's a good one. I started putting my motor together and the first thing I go to do is repalce the old rear main seal with a new one. The one in there was ony a year old but I figures I'd replace it anyways with the new stroker. I punched out the old one and went to get the new one but noticed it wasn't as think as the new one.......wtf! The old one was .356" think while the new one only measured .292". That's almost a 1/16" of an inch difference! The sealing surface looks thre same but it makes me unsure. THOUGHTS?
Might just order the whole assembly with it already installed.

Rear Main Seal - Part number MD120699 was superceded by part number MD372251

Rear Main Seal Assembly and Seal - MD178606

 

If they superceeded it, you can only assume it's ok...
It seems like they usually superceed to commonize, and they
had to have looked at your application...
joking....that sucks, you never know if you can trust the changes...

Edit: Stupid question: the stroker didnt come with a rear main seal?
Edit 2: If you order the assembly, logic would seem to dictate it should have the "revised" seal
in IT...

 

get a fel-pro rear main seal. Works great...

 

The seals that napa sells are actually good to. Never used a rear main but the front seal on my last engine ibuilt was $2.38 at napa. I installed a mitsu at first but it didn't quite seal good enough. Usually i get my seals from a place called kaman industries, they are in phoenix, i go there and tell them the dimensions and they go and get it from the warehouse. They also have every bearing imaginable, in stock.

 

I woud agree, many aftermarket parts get bashed too much around here...I have no problem using Fe-pro, Beck Arnley, etc seals at all...

 

Quickie.
Do you use rtv grey for the mating surface of the housing to the block?

Yep never mind. Good cross reference Permatex guide.
Auto

 

Personally, Ive quit using RTV in favor of Right Stuff whenever possible....although Im sure it's still silicone, that stuff is pretty incredible
sealant....

 

Even with the gasket you still use rtv? does the seal itself need some lube in it?

 

There is no gasket...

 

huh i got one with my gasket set???!?!?!

 

Don't use it use gasket maker, read the manual.

 

whats the trq on those 3 bolts?

 

Rear main seal casing? 8 ft.lbs.

 

thanks got a spare of the manual?