Doing a clutch job and have a little oil leak below the rear main seal (about 60K miles on both seal and pan gasket). Since this is the second low mileage clutch disk to fail with a spring popped out, I am guessing that I have clutch chatter from the oil leak causing stress on the disk. The flywheel is off so I am looking right at both the seal and gasket. Can't really tell if it is the main seal or the pan gasket so that raises few questions since I would like to replace both.

92 Camaro RS 3.1L V6

1) What is the best technique for removing the rear main seal?

2) Is it necessary to have an installation tool to put the new rear main seal in or is there an easy technique without one?

3) Is there enough clearance to remove the pan and change the gasket without lifting the engine from the mounts or otherwise doing a bunch of engine disassembly?

 

1) I've been told that the easiest way to remove the rear main seal is to put two screws into it and just pull it out...I'd give that a try first, and if you're not comfortable with doing that or if you fail in your attempt...then just do it the old fashion way since you'll be dropping the pan anyway.

2) Just lubricate the inside of the seal with some assembly lube if you have it or some new motor oil...and then just tap it into place.

3) As for removing the pan, you'll need to take off the crossover pipe, unbolt the starter, and then block the engine.

 

So it would clear the frame cross member without having to unbolt the motor mounts and lift it then??

 

Don't think so...that's what I meant when I said "and then block the engine".

You'll have to take the bolts out of the mounts, jack it up a few inches, and then put blocks of wood inbetween the mounts to hold the engine up.

It's fairly simple to do...the bolts should come right off if you use an impact gun.

I'd rather block an engine anyday than take off a crossover pipe...but that's just me.

 

on #3. I you do have to lift the motor about 4-5" for it to clear. Best if y-pipe is off(allows alot more space).

You can leave the wires hooked up. Depending on your heater hose setup, it might stay. Just be ever so careful with the dizzy near the firewall. I lifted my v6 motor with a board and jack, no engine hoist. V8 I borrowed a hoist.