Installation Procedure

Important: 

• Do not reuse the crankshaft oil seal or front cover gasket.
• Do not apply any type sealant to the front cover gasket (unless specified).
• The special tool in this procedure is used to center the crankshaft front oil seal.
• All gasket surfaces should be free of oil or other foreign material during assembly.
• The crankshaft front oil seal MUST be centered in relation to the crankshaft.
• An improperly aligned front cover may cause premature front oil seal wear and/or engine oil leaks.

1. Apply a 5 mm (0.20 in) bead of sealant GM U.S. P/N 12378190, or equivalent 20 mm (0.80 in) long to the oil pan to engine block junction.
2. Install the front cover gasket and cover.
   Fig 1: Installing Engine Front Cover

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Install the front cover bolts until snug. Do not overtighten.
4. Install the oil pan-to-front cover bolts (2) until snug. Do not overtighten.
   Fig 2: Installing Oil Pan-To-Front Cover Bolts

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Install the J 41476  to the front cover.
   Fig 3: Installing J 41476 To Front Cover

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Align the tapered legs of the J 41476  with the machined alignment surfaces on the front cover.
   NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE .
7. Install the crankshaft balancer bolt until sung. Do not overtighten.

   Tighten 

   1. 7.1. Tighten the oil pan-to-front cover bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
   2. 7.2. Tighten the engine front cover bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
8. Remove the J 41476  .

   Important: 

   • Do not lubricate the oil seal sealing surface.
   • Do not reuse the crankshaft oil seal.
9. Lubricate the outer edge of the oil seal (1) with clean engine oil.
   Fig 4: Identifying Crankshaft Front Oil Seal

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Lubricate the front cover oil seal bore with clean engine oil.
11. Install the crankshaft front oil seal into the J 41478  guide.
    Fig 5: Installing Crankshaft Front Oil Seal

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Install the J 41478  threaded rod (with nut, washer, guide, and oil seal) into the end of the crankshaft.
13. Use the J 41478  in order to install the oil seal into the cover bore.
    • Use a wrench and hold the hex on the installer bolt.
    • Use a second wrench and rotate the installer nut clockwise until the seal bottoms in the cover bore.
    • Remove the tool.
    • Inspect the oil seal for proper installation. The oil seal should be installed evenly and completely into the front cover bore.
14. Install the water pump. Refer to WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT in Engine Cooling.
15. Install the crankshaft balancer. Refer to CRANKSHAFT BALANCER REPLACEMENT  .