Question about front main seal.

I have a pretty bad front main seal leak and when my mechanic fulled everything apart he noticed the seal was not sitting in the housing very snugly. The new one seemed tighter when he just placed in it. We noticed what appears to be a ring that the seal sits in. (see pics) Is that replaceable? If not, should a little JB weld be ok to use? Also is my Harmonic balancer original? My mechanic who has never worked on a Buick before never seen one with the grooves in it? Thanks for the help

 

Pic of Balancer

 

The new seal should be interference fit with the case. This means it should be TIGHT, too tight to just place in there, usually it need to be pressed or driven home.

 

Copy that Max! Thats what my mechanic said. How do I fix the problem of it not being tight? Thanks

 

The grooves are there for the rope seal to ride on. You can put a sleeve on it because the grooves will cause a leak. The sleeve I have used is 99200. Napa carrys it but may have to order. Rock auto also has it.

 

He used a sealer and it had to be forced in so I'm good to go thanks

 

John is talking about the grooves in the balancer in case that isn't clear, and the sleeve goes over that area.

I am not sure how to make that timing case work other than maybe getting another seal that fits it? I'm sure someone here knows a way to fix this...

Some of the replacement timing case covers have the seal on the front (can be replaced without pulling off the case).

 

Your balancer looks identical to mine. I'd say it's correct.

 

Thanks Stefan

 

Yes, as Max said I was referring to the balancer knurling (grooves). The rubber seal that can replace the rope seal goes on from the rear on original GM timing covers. If your rubber seal is riding on the knurling on the balancer, it probably will not seal.

450446 was the seal I used on my covers.

 

I would clean up all the machined surfaces where the seal will live on the balancer and the front cover and get the paint off of the rubber on the balancer (both sides) to help keep the rubber from developing more cracks in the surface of the rubber. Definitely use the 450446 National seal.

 

My mechanic is not a fan of sleeves. Where can I get a replacement balancer? Thanks

 

Larry they are out of stock

 

I used that seal without a sleeve and it does not leak, yet. You can send yours out for reconditioning, too.

http://www.hbrepair.com/
https://www.damperdudes.net/
https://www.damperdoctor.com/

 

Man I'm having zero luck finding a new balancer. Summit, the parts place, old buick parts, TA (they are making their own not available yet) and the ones that did have one also have knurled surfaces. I guess the only choice to to use the original without sleeve or talk my mechanic into using one.

 

I think those grooves are not the mating surface for the seal. As long as the smooth part of the balancer is smooth, I think it should seal?

On the other hand the dampening part of the balancer is rubber, which does eventually die.

Matt's references to rebuilders would replace the rubber bit. I think those knurls are just an attempt to sling the oil away from the seal? Maybe more knowledgeable folks can comment.

 

Why do you think it needs a sleeve?

 

I don't have a sleeve either and have a neoprene seal. I found out during my rebuild, but it doesn't leak. I did find it somewhat strange but ok. I'm actually not fully sure if the mating surface is the knurled part.