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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 | I have a 53 Chevy truck with a 1956 Chevy 235 can u replace the rear main seal and pan gasket without pulling the motor out of the truck ? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 | Sal,
Yes you can replace the rear main seal and oil pan gasket without removing the engine from the truck. Get a Sneaky-Pete tool and remove the rear main seal cap. The bottom seal is in the rear main cap. Don't lose the shims!! Remove the upper rear main seal with the Sneaky-Pete tool. You can also install the rear main seal with the Sneaky-Pete tool. Oil the rear main seal well and take your time with the install. Be careful not to twist the seal and don't score the seal seat. Re-torque the rear main cap to the shop manual specifications. The oil pan should drop down with a little persuasion. Install the oil pan gasket with yellow trim adhesive to the pan. Let it dry. Make sure the engine surfaces are REALLY clean before you reinstall the pan with the new gasket. Don't over torque the pan bolts. A little petroleum jelly on the oil pan gasket going to the engine will help seal the cork gasket and make it easy to position the oil pan.
Hope this helps.
Tim
"Pay attention to the details! It ALWAYS pays off."
1949 Chevrolet 3100 Series 1/2 ton Pickup 1964 Chevrolet C10 (Ol' Yella) (SOLD) 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne 2 door (SOLD) 1970 VW Beetle
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 | | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | There is a modern rubber type seal available for that engine. They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | There is a modern rubber type seal available for that engine. Who is the vendor and what is the part number? Thanks, | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 |
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | Good seal. Has worked for 2 years in the 235 in my truck. A trick some one here pointed out: push the seal about 1/4 inch past the main bearing seat. It is stiff enough and keeps the seam from matching the up with the bearing seat joint. The main bearing cap will slip over the raised end just fine. A dot of weather strip adheasive on the exposed ends and no leaks in 15,000 miles. Works!
Steve H
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Dave,
What years 235s (and, 261s) will that work on?
Thanks,
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,778 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,778 | If you're doing an out of the frame major overhaul, it's also possible to machine the block for a full-circle lip seal that will positively eliminate rear main oil leaks. I believe the same seal that fits a Ford V8 Diesel works for the stovebolt engines. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Dave,
What years 235s (and, 261s) will that work on?
Thanks, This seal is not designed to work on an engine with shims on the mains. Chev used shims on the mains till mid 1955. There are shims listed in the parts book for later engines, but I have never seen them in a engine. I think they are listed for use in engines where the journal dimensions are off slightly.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Thanks, Dave,
That is what I thought
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