cessna195

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

joe_padavano

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.

cessna195

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

joe_padavano

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.