1 or 2 peice rear main seal?

tigmaned · 10-19-05, 02:35 PM

i tried looking at old thread for this, but none told me. what year engines was it when GM started with the one peice rear main seals? i was wondering what my 86 vette had.
Thanks!!

77-85 · 10-19-05, 04:44 PM

Up to 1985, it was a 2 piece rear seal. I believe that in 1986 it changed to a 1 piece real seal.

tnovot · 10-19-05, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77-85

Up to 1985, it was a 2 piece rear seal. I believe that in 1986 it changed to a 1 piece real seal.

Yes, and also beginning in 1986 the rear portion of the crankshaft was modified to accomodate the one-piece seal.

tigmaned · 10-20-05, 06:37 AM

do you think it was the 1986 L98 with aluminum heads that got that change? i have a 86 coupe and i still have the cast iron heads like the 85 models.

korvettekarl · 10-20-05, 07:11 AM

the aluminum heads started showing up in 87, I had an 87 roadster with the aluminum heads. Every time I bought plugs for it it was asked if it was cast iron or aluminum heads.

korvettekarl · 10-20-05, 07:15 AM

Hey tigmaned, I grew up on Andrews Air Force Base. My father was supply Msgt for Air Force One. Lived at #5 Reno Drive.

tigmaned · 10-20-05, 08:20 AM

Karl
i am not on base houseing so not sure were that is, what years was he here? its changed alot since 9/11.
and the aluminum heads came out in the 1986 convertables. but the coupes like mine in 86 still had the cast iron heads, and why i was asking if the rear main seal changed the same time the aluminum heads came about.

korvettekarl · 10-20-05, 10:27 AM

We lived on base from 1966 to 1969. I have a lot of found memories of that place. I'm sure it has changed quite a bit.

tnovot · 10-20-05, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigmaned

do you think it was the 1986 L98 with aluminum heads that got that change? i have a 86 coupe and i still have the cast iron heads like the 85 models.

I doubt if the change to AL heads for 1987 (all 1986 verts and some late model year coupes in 1986) had anything to do with the change to a one piece rear main seal for all engines in 1986. I'm pretty sure that the rear main seal mod was for all engines, passenger car, truck, etc. - not just Corvettes.

vader86 · 10-24-05, 11:54 PM

The 1-piece rear main seal is for ALL 1986 Corvettes, there are no exceptions. No holdovers from 85. The 624 iron heads are the same as used in 84-85.

Aluminum heads started in late 86, at VIN 19130 for coupes, and all convertibles have them. It is the same head used in 87, '128.

rrubel · 10-25-05, 06:05 PM

Agreed. Ed, my early (VIN 3036) 86 with CI heads has a one-piece RMS.
[RICHR]

tigmaned · 10-26-05, 03:11 PM

well i guess i'll live with the little leak for now!! not worth the work!!
Rich
hope you don't mind but i took your idea to make that extra seat of mine, and makeing desk chair out of it. i already found a good desk chair bottom for the swap. well the weather is changing quick but maybe i'll see you up at Brewsters some night soon?
Ed

rrubel · 10-26-05, 05:27 PM

I don't mind at all... now I just need to get one of my own. I can do a Subaru Legacy seat, but it's not quite the same...

Sometime I promise I'll make it up to Brewsters!
[RICHR]