3rd time is the charm!!

[Born Lucky]

I had gone through 2 main seals , a sliver would always have off in my last 1", and I was determined that number 3 would be the LAST ONE.
I decided to remve all the caps and lift the crank slightly. Man did this work, the 3 MAIN SEAL slips right in.
DONE DONE DONE with the rear main.
I have a few questions with the timing cover and the rubber gasket below the cover.
I did not use a alignment tool to install the timing cover, Will this hurt my harmonic balancer? Also do I use RTV Black gasket sealer on the rubber gasket?
Thanks all

[rideblue00]

"I did not use a alignment tool to install the timing cover"

Im not sure what your describing. Small block chevys have 2 dowel pins to locate the cover. Someone may not have put them back. But the bolts should hold it from moving far enough to cause a problem. Also your balancer seal sort of centers the cover anyhow.
I use rtv and gasket both. RTV on both sides of gasket. Let it squeeze out and trim it when it dries.

[Born Lucky]

The service manual states to use an alignment tool. THe tools appear to be a sleeve type that center"s the cover, so when you insall the harmonic you do not damage the new seal.
I eyed it and my mounting points were on spot. THe harmonic balance press fit with no issues. I forgot to state that the loaner install tool from Auto Zone failed.The first insert, the one that threads into the crank gear ending, snapped off! Cheap Cheap tool, lucky for me the problem piece had enough bite to access with a needle nose. Fast fix to what could have been a MAJOR PITA.

[rideblue00]

I didnt know that. I will look in my manual. Ive learned alot of stuff on this board.