Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
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help if you told us what sort of car it was on, if it is a car at all. since you didn't give us much information to go on i'll guess 25 dollars plus parts.
There is no front main seal on an SBC. Only an oil pan front seal and timing chain cover seal. Which of these do you mean (and as ede said, what engine)?
It is a 91 Z28 TPI 305 ......... Ok, well I was told that the front main seal was going out and needed repair. Whatever seal that is? They said the entire engine would have to be pulled?? Help please, Thanks, Jason
Rear seal can't be replaced in the car easily. The front seal would have to be the oil pan to timing chain cover seal. That can be replaced without pulling motor, but requires the help of some sealant. How much? No idea.
the front main seal is easy...anyone telling you to pull the motor is trying to scare you. I'd suggest a biatch slap across their face. Pulling an engine on a third-gen is a PAIN.
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86 IROC 305 TPI LB9 700R4 W/ Shift kit, K & N, Flowmaster gutted cat 95 Z tips, airfoil, 160 thermo, removed emissions, Summit cam kit 442 lift springs and lifters, ADS super chip, Summit timing chain, modified MAFS, tranny cooler, polished rims, Good Year yellow letter nascar 235/55 tires, polished runners and plenum, 145 Speedo, remote start, keyless entry, alarm, yellow neons underneath.
Probably about $600 to have the front "timing chain seal" replaced. There is no front main seal since the "main" refers to the thing that the seal sits in on the rear of the engine, not the fact that it is the "main" way to keep the oil from leaking out.
Of course around here, for a reasonable estimate of what you will probably pay multiply what they tell you by 2.5 so it would probably cost $1500.
Getting back to the real world, if it is the timing cover seal that you need replaced, the gasket kit costs about $20. But you also need to drop the oil pan to do it. If the oil pan gasket needs replaced, theres another $15. Labor is your only factor now, if you do it yourself, it'll take about 5 hours, with alot of beer breaks inbetween. Also, if you have 80,000 plus miles on that engine, you should also replace the timing chain while your at it. A good double roller one can be had for about $30. Another good idea is to replace the water pump while your at it, since it too has to be removed, about $35 for this. Don't forget that you will also need to rent a harmonic balancer remover/installer tool.
As for the rear seal, yes, this is a major pain to do, if your not to good with the wrench, take it to the shop.
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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass
[This message has been edited by R.O.B. (edited February 23, 2001).]
Around here that's what it costs. Ok maybe that's a little bit more but around here everything is expensive. They charge you at least twice as much for parts and labor is horrible.
Only an oil pan front seal and timing chain cover seal. Which of these do you mean (and as ede said, what engine)?
