Rear main seal opinions

OldIron82

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Hello all. About to install my rear main on the 6.9 but I'm having second thoughts on this new seal. To be blunt it looks tragically chicken**** compared to the factory original. Seems thin, hard, and it doesn't have a spring around it. Also, where does this big washer go? Here are some pics. What you all think? Should I look around for a seal closer to the original? Not happy about being at a stand still a.g.a.i.n but this is one seal I do not want to go after again.
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icanfixall

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When I rebuilt my engine I used the seal with the speedi sleeve and the seal had two lips. Both at made from a synthetic material. Instructions tell you to install dry. I used a very small amount of grease on mine and 11 years later its dry. Instructions also tells you NOT to separate the sleeve from the seal but to install them as one. I disobeyed that too.
 

OldIron82

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When I rebuilt my engine I used the seal with the speedi sleeve and the seal had two lips. Both at made from a synthetic material. Instructions tell you to install dry. I used a very small amount of grease on mine and 11 years later its dry. Instructions also tells you NOT to separate the sleeve from the seal but to install them as one. I disobeyed that too.
Is the speedi sleeve the white plastic critter in the first picture?

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Nick382

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Is the speedi sleeve the white plastic critter in the first picture?

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You said critter, hehehe.

My speedi sleeve was metal, but it's just a very thin ring that covers the outside circumference where the rear main seal lives.

The surface of my crank flange was worn pretty badly, so I had a fun time doing that job twice. Those plastic install kits frustrated me pretty badly. I'll buy the tool if this one leaks.


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nostrokes

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Is the speedi sleeve the white plastic critter in the first picture?

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The white critter is a sleeve to install the seal with.. You put it in the seal before installing it on the crank to keep from rolling the seal lip while pushing it on. Then grad hold of it with pliers and pull it out after getting the cover bolts back in. It's a good idea to use it.. Rolled many of seal lips in my time without something like that to help...

Not sure what the washer is for, maybe goes behind the seal to act as a deflector?????? Can't tell from the picture but is it a larger diameter than the seal??
 

TahoeTom

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Check the sealing surface on the crank. If there is a groove worn in the crank where the seal rides you will need to sleeve it. International sells a seal/sleeve kit with a plastic install tool that can be installed with the rear cover in place. The seal and sleeve are to be installed together. The seal in that kit is sized for the sleeve. The sleeve is thicker than the speedi sleeve which can be used with a stock seal. I used the international kit but ended up with a leak. I thought it was the seal but instead I had not used enough RTV on rear cover where it meets the oil pan. Use plenty of RTV in the corners at the pan to rear cover joint.
 

OldIron82

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Does anyone know if the FelPro PN 16256 Sleeve will work with the seal I have in the pictures? The seal is out of the Felpro BS 40011 rear main seal set.
 
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