Rear main puking, clutch slipping, brand new clutch

[FailureCoach]

Ok I tried to search, but came up empty. I bought a 1991 with 31k miles, records, but.... Apparently a Corvette shop in Florida put a new clutch, flywheel, and balanced it, at least according to their sublet line on the invoice. The older gentleman declined the rear main repair, I believe he was declining in health,and maybe didn?t catch that?s why the clutch was slipping in the first place. So now I have to fix this. Can I buy just a new clutch disc, or do I need a new kit? Not trying to be cheap, just don?t want to throw money away if I don?t have to. Second, best source for the rear main? Jerry?s Gaskets has the whole plate, but states old stock, and seal should be changed. Thanks for any input. My 8th C4, first ZR1, it shares garage space with my ?02 Z06. I?m not new to Corvettes, but I don?t want to screw this one up.

[Ccmano]

The rear main seal is fairly straight forward to replace as it mounts to a removable cover. JerrysGaskets has a brand new seal and cover assembly on his site. You'll need the cover gasket as well. The disc is the only thing that should need replaced if it wasn't driven too long that way. Everything else should clean up just fine. Ultimately you won't know til you get in there.
H

[FailureCoach]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

The rear main seal is fairly straight forward to replace as it mounts to a removable cover. JerrysGaskets has a brand new seal and cover assembly on his site. You'll need the cover gasket as well. The disc is the only thing that should need replaced if it wasn't driven too long that way. Everything else should clean up just fine. Ultimately you won't know til you get in there.
H

Thank you. I?ll have to look for the new seal on Jerry?s Gaskets, I only saw the old stock one in the housing. I?m going to call Eisman tomorrow to see if they know what clutch kit they used. The car hasn?t had more than 100 miles since they did the work, if I recall. I just want to have what I need, once I tear it down. Thank you for the input.

[Corvette95]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if the shop used hydraulic fluid/grease to remove the pilot bearing that will damage the rear main seal as would driving the pilot bearing in too far? This would account for the problems? (just noticed after I replied that the former owner declined the rear main repair, but my reply still stands as help in the clutch replacement)

[Ccmano]

Grease or hydraulic fluid to remove the pilot bearing wouldn't damage the rear main seal but it could push in the oil galley plug in the end of the crankshaft which could cause an oil leak in that area. It would become immediately visible once the flywheel was removed, assuming one is looking for it. While possible, I'd say that's one of the more remote possibilities.
H

[FailureCoach]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

Grease or hydraulic fluid to remove the pilot bearing wouldn't damage the rear main seal but it could push in the oil galley plug in the end of the crankshaft which could cause an oil leak in that area. It would become immediately visible once the flywheel was removed, assuming one is looking for it. While possible, I'd say that's one of the more remote possibilities.
H

That doesn?t sound like fun. I?ll have to go back, and look over the shop invoices. I suppose I won?t know much until I get in there. I just hope it goes smoothly. At the end of the day it?s all just nuts, bolts, and money, right?

[rkreigh]

if someone uses the old mechanic trick to pack the pilot bearing with grease and try and pound it out it will push out a crank oil galley plug


you would notice the loss of oil pressure. Look over the clutch disk and if it's hot and glazed don't use it.


I have good pressure plate disk if you need it.


I upgraded to a new stage II I'm dying to try out.