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Oil Seal Question

JPSmit

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Well, I got timing chain cover seal seated unfortunately I didn't think to remove the tiny circular spring and pounded it flat while I was doing it. I don't recall this spring being there in the old one - does this replace an O-ring? If so, can I just get an O-ring? I don't mind buying a new seal I just don't want to wait.

thoughts? opinions?

Thanks again - you guys are awesome!
 
The spring holds the seal tight against the shaft.

Get a new one.
 
A couple of point regarding lip type oil seals.
Check the shaft for any grooving, if there is a groove the new seal will probably still leak. You can sometimes get away with refitting the seal in a different position in the housing although there is not a lot of room in most front covers.
Fit the the seal and oil it to help fitting the front pulley, fit the cover loosely then insert the front pulley, turn the engine over a couple of times and only then tighten the front cover. The pulley centralises the seal.

Alec
 
got it - thanks
 
CR (Chicago Rawhide) makes a product called "Speedy-sleeve" for just such occasions when there is some minor wear on the shaft where a seal seats and it continues to leak even with a new seal. Over the years I have used them a couple of times with satisfactory results!
 
"""""think to remove the tiny circular spring and pounded it flat while I was doing it. I don't recall this spring being there in the old one - does this replace an O-ring? """"""

JP.......

No......the spring is called the garter spring and is in most lip type seals. As posted it applies lip tension to the shaft.

Ther are two timing cover stampings for the A motor.....front seal install and rear install. Whichever you have you should first check the fit and if too loose and able to push the seal in, you MUST use an adhesive sealer on the seal od. The seal will move after installation if you don't. Observe seal polarity..the spring side of the seal faces IN.

Support the front and back with a block of wood and PRESS the seal in place with an arbor press or big "C" clamp . Dont hammer on it as the garter spring sometimes comes out.
 
thanks - not an A motor though - 1500. There are no gouges/ scratches - nice & clean - everything as per instructions - I just didn't take out the spring before seating (with a big socket) so, while the seal is very nicely in, the spring is flattened. Original question was whether I could substitute the O-ring the original seal had but it seems like the consensus is to get another seal with another spring.
 
A good idea with any lip seal is to put a light coat of grease on the seal lip before installation.
 
RonMacPherson said:
A good idea with any lip seal is to put a light coat of grease on the seal lip before installation.

Done - though at first I thought you were talking about me kissing my wife /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
Not sure about your wife but with you no way. LOL
 
Well, got the new seal yesterday, tonight was the night for the timing chain cover. Grey's Anatomy spinoff premiere at 9:00 pm - 9:01 I'm in the garage. 10:30, I very proudly stand back, have a sip of beer and admire my newly mounted torqued sealed timing chain cover in place. Set down the beer next to the oil deflecter. Oops.

The benefit of experience. 1st time install 1 1/2 hours, open up and reinstall 15 minutes. I love this car!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
Oh gesh, that sounds like the way I work.
 
I can say with a fair degree of confidence that I will be building this car at least twice, probably three or more times
 
Yep, I'm with you, I tend to call the first build the fitment phase. The second the test phase. Then the third is all final, final, final, each and everyone till I get it right.

Note that I never go past three phases, it's a point of honor.
 
jlaird said:
Note that I never go past three phases, it's a point of honor.

Let me clarify - is that that you never do or you never count - like me at golf - I stop counting at double par /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
hehe, I stop counting of course.
 
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