Rear main seal ring is loose (full rebuild)

[90gst_sean]

I'm installing the rear main seal in my 6 bolt block. The oil separator ring will not stay in the rear case; at all. Is this going to be a problem. The new seal was a b'otch to press into the case but its in there 98% of the way. I don't think getting it pressed in there any further in will make the ring stay much better.

Is this common?

When I removed the old case seal and ring it was stuck in there pretty good. I mean, it was there for the life of the car; 180K miles. Who knows that could have been way it was in there so well. I will have the seal professionally pressed if its needed.

ALSO:

Should I use a gasket sealer on the case gasket or is it not recommended? I will use GREY if its needed.

Should i use gasket sealer of all the gaskets in the engine rebuild? (don't think I'm implying the head gasket)


Thank you.

I'm off, back to building my dream car! Thanks again, Sean

 

[drewvr4]

when i rebuilt mine, it was in there pretty good. it took some doing to take the old one out and get the new one in.

i had made a little tool that i would hit with a rubber mallet and it pushed it in pretty well, just has to be a VERY blunt item so you dont tear your seal

 

[92awddsm]

as far as the ring is concerned, spread the edges just enough for it not to spin inside the seal housing. Once it is bolted to the block, the ring is retained by the block itself and cant move. Put in on and you will see what I am talking about.

And yes, you can use permatex ultr gray. Use just enough to seal the surface but not so much that it squeezes out when tightened.