How to install a 2 piece rear main seal with the crank still in the block on my 339 sbc stroker.

[@thedarkphire33]

I've had my 305 on the stand For over a week now and I was contemplating changing a rear main on it. After seeing this video I am going to put this on my checklist. Thank you for the video.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're welcome, it's not to bad, especially if it's on the stand.

[@thedarkphire33]

@@SquarebodyStuff Yeah it really doesn't look that terrible. I was expecting so much worse.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

@thedarkphire33 yup, just take your time and have fun.

[@j.j.clingman4083]

Hey square body buddy!! As an engine builder when I do a two piece rear main seal I see guys always put just a little RTV sealant between the two halves!! Me I have always left about a 1/2” to 3/4” of the seal sticking above the bottom of the deck of the block and that way the two halves will meet up in the main cap and be hidden in the main cap it’s self and the other side will be up in the block!!! I’ve done rear main seals this way for years and years and I have never had one fail on me!!! You should definitely give it a try and I promise you that you won’t be pissed!!! Lol!! It just keeps every matting surface in a different spot instead of every thing like the main cap halves, the seal halves, the oil pan corners and even the oil pan seals just not all coming together at the same spot and potentially having a spot for leaks!!! Hopefully that makes since to you??? I’ve definitely been building engines ever since I was going to college classes for being a mechanic while I was still in high school!!! My school didn’t offer mechanic classes so the high school paid my last two years of high school to take classes at a college that offered mechanic classes and they were also classes that offered credits for graduating a college degree!! I was actually the very first person to take advantage of doing this also witch helped me graduate from college two years earlier then most other kids that also took college classes!!! I can tell you that my two last years in high school I was already getting my college credits added up before I had even graduated from high school witch in return helped me out much quicker then going threw my high school 4 years and then doing another 4 years of college classes!!! I already had two years of my college credits by the time I graduated from high school and I probably had the best time ever my high school years also!! I also worked at a machine shop that did engines also for 2 years before I started doing them myself!!! Well buddy awesome video and remember keep up all the hard work buddy and definitely try off setting the two halves of those seals and I guarantee you that you won’t have any issues with them!!! I actually just got done changing a rear main seal on a 1967 Camaro with a 400 sbc in it and the guy said he had a rear main leak in it and wanted it fixed!! After tearing the pan off and taking the rear main cap off I had found that who ever had put the engine together had also put the rear main seal in backwards witch will definitely not work and cause a leak also!! I put a new seal in and off set the seal about a 1/2” or so and it didn’t leak after putting the new seal in the proper direction and off setting the two halves matting surfaces!!!

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Go to around the 9 minute mark of this video and I explain why I stagger the seals like you said. I've been doing that way for over 30 years.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

This is why I like the two piece! Brilliant, you can do it in frame without pulling the engine or trans. The single piece can't be!

[@oldgreen100]

Thanks much. About to do this on a Ford 302 - probably with the engine still in the truck. Seems pretty simple.

[@LoboSoLow]

First and foremost, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Many grateful people out there. I just wanted to add that ive found an old widdled down toothbrush will aid in removing the seal, since it bends. Wood of course also works. Thanks again and stay safe. Michael

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, that's a good tip.

[@Raylo86]

Really information. I was scared to do this on my 84 project truck. Now I feel like I’m more than qualified to get after it.

[@Blakes_Makes]

Thank you so much for making this video. Very helpful to see it done out of frame! I am replacing the rear main on my '80 big 10 because the front went and I figured the rear wouldn't be too far behind as well as putting a new one piece pan gasket in because that was seeping too whislt I am in there.

[@mathieulabrie6185]

Thx buddy!!! Not so easy with a light under the truck , but I will take my time with a beer 🍺

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Making a decent video under the truck sucks more 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@msguillet71]

Really love this build and looking forward to see how it performs. I have a 305 block and would like to stroke it also. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@MartyMar815]

Thank you for this. Helped me out big time. Until I found out the guy before me RTVED the old one it. Was a really fun place to visit. But I got it out and used your video to install the new one.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're welcome, I'm glad it all worked out for you.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

I was searching for these videos about a year or two ago before I did mine in the truck. Only a few years too late for me.🤣

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Great video you also addressed my questions on the pump volume questions as well!

[@natevanlandingham1945]

I have heard some people say that there is no problem keeping it even with the face of the block and that your also supposed to offset it. I offset mine and no issues, to this day .

[@natevanlandingham1945]

I like the one piece pan gasket. Had good luck with it.

[@BigBlock402]

Awesome series on this 339 Stroker.. that little engine is looking great.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks

[@PerpetualProjects]

Good video, the 339 is getting closer.

[@richardoliver1303]

Your video is the best I have seen! Very well done!

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, I really appreciate that

[@DesertHack]

Solid video, appreciate it

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks

[@gordonchagrin4111]

thank you - very helpful..there isn't an issue reusing the cap bolts due to stretch? Also have 69 Camaro 350 SBC, not sure what year the motor is. What is your advice on verifying the motor has a two piece or one-piece seal BEFORE taking anything apart?

[@NathanWinters18]

I used a heat gun to help loosen the old upper seal before tapping it out with copper.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Good tip.

[@gimmefuel7268]

Thanks so much for this buddy!! Doing this now doesn’t seem like so much of a mystery anymore now! 😁👍🏻

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Not much to it.

[@JRBRestorations]

Excellent video!!! Thanks!

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, and your welcome.

[@jamespelczynski8347]

Great job

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks

[@rickynelson3222]

Cool video thanks man 👍🙏

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, and you're welcome

[@mickmandela6995]

Great video I’m about too tackle this on my 1978 Gmc 3/4 ton pickup 350 I bought a new oil pump and screen and a rear main seal and oil pan and oil pan gasket, the only thing I have a question on is what is the torque spec for the oil pan bolts?

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Around 70 in lbs. Honestly, I've never torqued them. They just need to be tight enough to seal and not back out.

[@gwillard19]

Great video!

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks

[@bambamrf]

Thanks for the video, gotta do this soon to my little 327...👍

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're welcome, thanks for watching.

[@billmiller5075]

Great information

[@michaelgeorge1469]

I have a Camaro I'm about to do and this video is great. One question i have is there a way to tell by just looking at block if its a single or two piece without opening up motor?

[@SquarebodyStuff]

casting number or look at the rear of the pan where the seal is.

[@johnslavicek2353]

great video, thank you!

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Santoyo117]

Hey, where did you get those packaging? I used the original GM parts and other TFvictor brand parts and neither of the 2 brands worked for me, what type of brand do you recommend so that my 350 sbc doesn't leak oil???

[@SquarebodyStuff]

I use Felpro part number BS40013

[@drakeperez1595]

Hey man I think I need to make my own video on where that plastic cap goes that comes in with the rear main seal kit bag. I found my stuck in the middle very confused that it's not explained more thoroughly to install the cap I know it's not a video about that cap but I do need now how to do it lol

[@Gregoman89]

What would you clean the cap and bearing with?

[@SquarebodyStuff]

A good clean line free rag and some brake clean .

[@dinkuserectus]

Great video boss man. 👍🏻

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks

[@dinkuserectus]

@SquarebodyStuff I'm going to be doing this on a 454 c3 1970 corvette. The oil pan gasket is leaking bad from the back half. I figured tackle the rear main seal while the pan is off. These c3 corvettes are tricky to work on. I'm also giving it a major tune up and chasing ghosts all over the place, Lol. Watching this video keeps me motivated. Keep up the good work.

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Perfect time to do it.

[@kenozahney]

Thank you..👍🏼

[@Cliterfish]

Best video , thanks

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, I appreciate these comments.

[@Cliterfish]

@SquarebodyStuff I might be over thinking this, is it safe to use the same bolts?

[@SquarebodyStuff]

@Cliterfish yes, they can be reused.

[@Cliterfish]

@@SquarebodyStuff awesome, thank you

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're welcome

[@tyscott4538]

I bet your wife could make a great living you being a traveling mechanic have you ever thought about that😂, im just messing with you bro,, keep up the great work! 💪

[@edwardthompson9981]

Do you have to loosen all main caps to do this

[@SquarebodyStuff]

The rear has to be removed, but the rest of them can be left alone.

[@austin-lr3dx]

Can you run a one piece rear main crank in a 2 piece block

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Nope

[@mikeallen3646]

nice video, quick question... would you run a high volume oil pump on a street rod application, and are they any more prone for oil leaks. Iam doing mine now, it has a high volume pump and the rear main is leaking is why i asked. thanks in advance

[@SquarebodyStuff]

I always run a high volume pump. Oil pressure has zero effect on rear main seals leaking.

[@mikeallen3646]

thanks for the quick reply i appreciate it @@SquarebodyStuff

[@robertmagni7201]

Looking good Chad I never knew about the little install tool good to know. Rob

[@kylemorse324]

Awsome

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Thanks, I needed that right about now!

[@mohamadsuleimankhamis4627]

How are you

[@SquarebodyStuff]

good

[@mohamadsuleimankhamis4627]

I have some question

[@mohamadsuleimankhamis4627]

I'm mechanic car classic

[@mohamadsuleimankhamis4627]

I have cadillac 1967 have problems leak oil back side

[@mohamadsuleimankhamis4627]

Oil seal crank shaft

[@BungAngus14]

Hey I tried your rope trick to replace valve springs. Now the fucking rope is stuck. Any suggestions!!!!!???? Please help. Lol

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Is it stuck under a valve or squished in there. You can turn the engine backwards to take the pressure off.

[@BungAngus14]

@@SquarebodyStuff Yep! Damn exhaust valve had it pinched. Man I was yanking on that rope some hard before I realized it was pinched . Hopefully I didn’t bend the valve. Lol. Got it all back together and seems to be running fine. 🤞🏼

[@SquarebodyStuff]

Awesome, glad you got it figured out.

[@bustednutzgarage2609]

A pencil 🤔 Definitely not a bad idea 💡