The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop replacing rear main seal

I've read through the technical stuff. I want to here first hand if anybody has done this. I've done it with a neoprene seal on a 235 which is easy. Any advice about putting the rope seal in is appreciated on a 216. I'm embarrassed about the oil drips. Thanks.

Spencer

its been a while since I did one but "back then" I pulled the pan, took off the rear main, and loosened the others a little. Next I have a little gadget that I put one end of the rope in so that when I put the other end over around the crankshaft the end with the rope in it would pull down tighter and tighter on the end of the rope. Hope this makes sense...and I think I still have that chinese "noose" laying around here somewhere.
This stopped my oil leak and I drove that truck/engine for many many miles.
Hope this helps or gives you some confidence.

On the OldGMC site, there is a blow by blow description of the procedure. There is a seal marketed by "Best" gasket which they claim is better than the others. It is supposed to have teflon etc. involved somewhere in it's makeup. I replaced mine and it was perfectly dry for about the first three hours of running and then it started to leak. I was tearing down my motor at the time and as an experiment I tried to remove the upper half with the crankshaft in place. I was not able to budge it at all. This is not always the case but it was my experience.

do you have the adress of the old gmc site?

Here is the OldGMC site address:

http://oldgmctrucks.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=272004236

When you go on that site, look in the "OldGMC Hall of Fame" forum.

I will be doing mine over again as soon as I move houses. When I rebuilt my 216, I put in a new seal. It worked perfectly for about the first fours hours of running and then all at once started to leak. I have been talking to a supplier about the types of seals available. He sort of hinted that the old asbestos type are better then what they make today but "Best Gasket" makes the best one that is made today.

I wasn't able to make the "Chinese finger" work on my seal to pull it in. I am going to use black fishing line this time around. Generally they don't give you a whole lot of extra length to play with so one has to be careful with the ends.

thankyou very much for the link. i will give it a shot. tired of a new rebuild leaking all over the driveway.