Difficulty replacing rear main oil seal

[Silly Seville]

I know this should be ridiculously easy to do, but I'm stumped. I have a SBC with one piece rear main seal. The engine is being rebuilt, so I already have the seal housing off, and the old seal out of it. My dilemma is I'm using a Victor Reinz seal, and it is double lipped. So I have no way of knowing which side goes in towards the crank. Conventional wisdom says always install the seal with the lip towards the inside of the engine. Well, which is the "right" side when using a double lip seal? There were no instructions with the seal, and I have poured over Goo-gal trying to find online instructions...nothing! I really want to get the oil pan on tonight. Otherwise, I have to wait until 9am to call the manufacturers tech line and beg them for an answer. Argh!

 

[dan t.]

Re: Difficulty replacing rear main oil seal

One side of the seal face will be flat with the smaller lip, that is the outside, the other side will have a deep groove and the larger lip, that is the engine side. Make sure you oil the seal lips before installation, or wipe some grease on them

 

[Silly Seville]

Issue solved!

Issue solved!

Thanks for the reply Dan...it's a really good thing my frustration over this lead me to call Victor Reinz tech support. Turns out the seal I have is not for my engine! No wonder I couldn't figure the thing out. Anyway, consider this one solved. The correct seal is on the way.

P.S.

After spending over an hour on the phone with Rob at Victor Reinz tech support sorting out my many engine rebuilding issues; I feel compelled to give him and the management many thanks for their tremendous patience, dedication to problem solving, and perfect customer service.

I have NEVER had an experience with a company such as this where I have been so utterly satisfied by the way my questions were handled.
My needs where not simply met; they were exceeded to such a degree that it became necessary to give such praise in a public forum.

When given the opportunity to choose a parts provider again, I will not hesitate to use the Mahle family of engine components.
It is no secret that customers are too quick to talk trash about a company or their products when something doesn't work right.
I'm here to tell you that based on my experience, great customer service stills exists; and it deserves to be recognized.
Thank you Rob S. for your efforts! They have not gone unnoticed.


(Note: I have zero affiliation with Mahle or any of its subsidiaries. I am simply a very satisfied customer!)