Factory Rear Main Seal Retainer - Sealing The Side Grooves

[Charlie Brown]

Doing a re and re on the rear main seal - 426 wedge. I'm using the factory retainer. There are hundreds of threads on this issue and I have choosen my posion. I've decided to use silicone to fill the side grooves - seems to be the preferred method.The one item I'm not clear on is when to apply the silicone. There seems to be two preferred methods 1) before or 2) after the retainer install. If I fill the grooves before installing, how much silicone is the proper amount. Do I overfill the grooves a bit so the product fills the retainer to block void or as well? The other option often mentioned, is to install the retainer and then "inject" said product down into the grooves. This method leaves me wondering how do I know if the silicone has completly filled the groove. This application method seems to me to be the best / cleanest method but how to inject properly is the key here. Thoughts anyone?

 

[dvw]

Fill the grooves on the sides. Then after the retainer is installed rotate the crank so the cutout in the flange is at one side of the retainer. Fill the notch between the retainer and the block. Smooth with a putty knife. Then rotate the crank and do the other side. Then fill the openings above the retainer bolts. As you can see here, no leaks. If you have studs clearance the retainer shown in Pic 2. This same rear main seal will be reused. Been in the motor 14 years, numerous freshen ups.
Doug

 

[AR67GTX]

I used Right Stuff to fill mine. Neatness didn’t count - I really need to trim it up a little I guess. But it doesn’t leak.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

DVW Nailed it, exactly how I handle it...