I am in the process of rebuilding my 1966 Olds 442 and I have two questions.
1. My original Olds shop manual has a torque spec of 120 ft lbs for the mains. That seems too high to me. I am afraid I will break a main cap. I have seen mains brake around the bolt area of a bearing cap in days past when guys would torque a main bearing bolt.
2. I have instructions on how to install the rear main seal from the gasket set but it is not to clear. What would you guys do for installing a rear main seal?


This is the first Olds engine that I have ever built so I am asking for other guys experiences.

John

 

The factory Chassis Service Manual was written by the guys who designed the car. Why would you want to use a different number?

We all throw away the rope seal and use a neoprene rear main seal from a Ford 460.

 

Well I went out and bought a neoprene rear main seal from a Ford 460 for my engine. Are the any special instructions when installing the seal?

John

 

Be sure you have the lip seal pointed in the correct direction when you install it. Offset the ends about 5 degrees from the parting surface of the cap for a little extra sealing, and dab a bit of RTV on the ends before installing the cap. I like to wipe a thin film of oil on the lip of the seal to prevent wear at startup.