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School me on big block rear main seals #1475024
07/27/13 07:06 PM
07/27/13 07:06 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
lilcuda Offline OP
super stock
lilcuda  Offline OP
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Posts: 701
Northern California
I'm assembling a 383 for a friend and while I have built a bunch of small block Mopars and countless brand X, Y & Z engines, I have never assembled a BB Mopar. The only thing that is tripping me up is the rear main seal retainer, specifically the side seals . The instructions say to soak the side seals in mineral spirits, then install them. It seems to me that it will be too tight to slide them in.

If anyone can give me a step-by-step procedure for installing the retainer so it doesn't leak, that would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
Lee

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475025
07/27/13 07:37 PM
07/27/13 07:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,058
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
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You soak the side seals, stick them on the sides of the retainer and slide it all in together. The seals should be shrunk enough to get it together before they swell.

Put a small dab of rtv on the block surface that the retainer sits on too. Then after you have it bolted together wipe down the block and retainer at the surface where they meet to make sure there is no oil residue and put a bead of rtv on it on either side of the block/retainer joint , not inside the block , and hope for the best .


Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475026
07/27/13 11:02 PM
07/27/13 11:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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I use a 10 CC syringe to squirt the mineral spirits onto both sides of the seals once thier installed on the motor for the last time I let it set up while I finish assembling the short block and then, on the next day to allow the mineril spirits to soak in and dry up, I use adhesive silicone and a thin bladed screwdriver to fill the sides and the bottom of the seal holder up between the block and the holder


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: Cab_Burge] #1475027
07/29/13 04:30 PM
07/29/13 04:30 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
lilcuda Offline OP
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lilcuda  Offline OP
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Northern California
Thanks for the pointers. I'll give them a try.

By the way, Cab - thanks for the heads up some time ago regarding the Federal Mogul 4094 main bearings. They solved my issue with this engine having a loose #3 upper bearing shell.

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475028
07/29/13 04:34 PM
07/29/13 04:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,163
CT
GTX MATT Offline
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GTX MATT  Offline
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Where did you get the paper side seals?


Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: GTX MATT] #1475029
07/29/13 09:19 PM
07/29/13 09:19 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
lilcuda Offline OP
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lilcuda  Offline OP
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Northern California
The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475030
07/30/13 02:52 AM
07/30/13 02:52 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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451Mopar  Offline
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Aurora, Colorado
The orange silicone ones with a hole through the center actually seal pretty good, but are a pain to install. Usually start with about 1/3 of the seal below the retainer and slide the seals and retainer down at the same time. You may have to work the retainer up/down several times to get the side seals all the way down.

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475031
07/30/13 03:46 AM
07/30/13 03:46 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Bend,OR USA
Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.


Good luck on them, I haven't had to use them yet I bought a bunch (25) of the old type Mopar and Fel Pro rear main seal kits with the black paper type side seals trying to delay the future


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475032
07/30/13 08:44 AM
07/30/13 08:44 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
roadhazard Offline
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Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.





DO NOT use mineral spirits on them, they are silicone

When and where did you get them WITHOUT the proper installation instructions?

I can post the instructions for those if you need

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: roadhazard] #1475033
07/30/13 09:34 PM
07/30/13 09:34 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
lilcuda Offline OP
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lilcuda  Offline OP
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
Quote:

Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.





DO NOT use mineral spirits on them, they are silicone

When and where did you get them WITHOUT the proper installation instructions?

I can post the instructions for those if you need




It's my buddy's engine. I'm not sure where he got the rear main seal kit. I believe it is a Mopar Performance part. I'll have to double-check. It did come with instructions which say to soak the seals in mineral spirits. Seemed weird to me since they are silicone. That's the reason I posted the question here.

If you have the proper instructions for the silicone seals, can you post them here or send me a PM? It would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475034
07/31/13 09:48 AM
07/31/13 09:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
roadhazard Offline
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roadhazard  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.





DO NOT use mineral spirits on them, they are silicone

When and where did you get them WITHOUT the proper installation instructions?

I can post the instructions for those if you need




It's my buddy's engine. I'm not sure where he got the rear main seal kit. I believe it is a Mopar Performance part. I'll have to double-check. It did come with instructions which say to soak the seals in mineral spirits. Seemed weird to me since they are silicone. That's the reason I posted the question here.

If you have the proper instructions for the silicone seals, can you post them here or send me a PM? It would be much appreciated!

Thanks.




OK , guess some of those are still in the system with instructions for the old style asbestos side seals. That problem should be rectified now with the updated blue side seals

Thanks for posting the question.
Don't like to see people struggle to install my parts with the wrong instruction sheet

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: roadhazard] #1475035
07/31/13 04:52 PM
07/31/13 04:52 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
lilcuda Offline OP
super stock
lilcuda  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 701
Northern California
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.





DO NOT use mineral spirits on them, they are silicone

When and where did you get them WITHOUT the proper installation instructions?

I can post the instructions for those if you need




It's my buddy's engine. I'm not sure where he got the rear main seal kit. I believe it is a Mopar Performance part. I'll have to double-check. It did come with instructions which say to soak the seals in mineral spirits. Seemed weird to me since they are silicone. That's the reason I posted the question here.

If you have the proper instructions for the silicone seals, can you post them here or send me a PM? It would be much appreciated!

Thanks.




OK , guess some of those are still in the system with instructions for the old style asbestos side seals. That problem should be rectified now with the updated blue side seals

Thanks for posting the question.
Don't like to see people struggle to install my parts with the wrong instruction sheet




Thanks for the instructions! Are you implying that you supply gaskets to Mopar Performance?

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475036
07/31/13 05:08 PM
07/31/13 05:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,906
Athens, Greece
Pyper70 Offline
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Pyper70  Offline
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Posts: 5,906
Athens, Greece
not to hijack the thread...but my buddy's rear main is leaking and I really don't wanna do it...but I know I have to...

How hard is it to do while in the vehicle....are there instructions for that too?


Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: lilcuda] #1475037
07/31/13 05:16 PM
07/31/13 05:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
roadhazard Offline
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roadhazard  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The side seals aren't paper. They're some sort of orange colored rubber. That's one of the reasons for my confusion. I hope they go in OK.





DO NOT use mineral spirits on them, they are silicone

When and where did you get them WITHOUT the proper installation instructions?

I can post the instructions for those if you need




It's my buddy's engine. I'm not sure where he got the rear main seal kit. I believe it is a Mopar Performance part. I'll have to double-check. It did come with instructions which say to soak the seals in mineral spirits. Seemed weird to me since they are silicone. That's the reason I posted the question here.

If you have the proper instructions for the silicone seals, can you post them here or send me a PM? It would be much appreciated!

Thanks.




OK , guess some of those are still in the system with instructions for the old style asbestos side seals. That problem should be rectified now with the updated blue side seals

Thanks for posting the question.
Don't like to see people struggle to install my parts with the wrong instruction sheet




Thanks for the instructions! Are you implying that you supply gaskets to Mopar Performance?




Yes I manufacture the retainer seals they sell. I also manufacture other gaskets and seals

Pyper_70 The only instructions I have are for the actual seal installation.
No instructions for laying on your back trying to avoid oil dripping on your forehead, or in my case five-head

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: roadhazard] #1475038
07/31/13 05:38 PM
07/31/13 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,906
Athens, Greece
Pyper70 Offline
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Pyper70  Offline
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Posts: 5,906
Athens, Greece
thats what I am looking for...I have never done one with the motor still in the car...and I dont have a lift


Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: Pyper70] #1475039
07/31/13 10:50 PM
07/31/13 10:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 877
Pittsburgh, Pa
J
Jeff_383 Offline
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Jeff_383  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 877
Pittsburgh, Pa
Use a "sneaky pete" tool for in-car replacement.

Re: School me on big block rear main seals [Re: roadhazard] #1475040
08/01/13 02:58 AM
08/01/13 02:58 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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451Mopar  Offline
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Aurora, Colorado
Those instructions from SuperPerformance are what I got with the seal kit with the Blue silicone side seals. The Orange silicone side seals seemed softer than the Blue ones, and I had to start with more of the seal below the retainer. Not a big deal, you just may have to slide the retainer into the block a few times to get the side seals in correctly. These fluoroelastomer rear main seals have worked good for me, just takes a bit more time installing them.







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