simple question, I just swapped out the rear bearing caps on my 471 GMC blower and realized there are NO gaskets under the bearing covers. Is this normal? I know I have seen flat gaskets and also 0-ring grooves in some caps...mine has neither. Are they really needed?
Maybe. So long as the mating surfaces are all milled perfectly smooth, you can probably do without. The rear bearings should be double-sealed (both sides), so that will prevent most leakage, so long as you are not running extreme boost, and the covers take care of the rest. Gaskets, if you really want them, can be had from most blower parts vendors. I would use Loc***e 510, id I did not have caps with o-rings.
yes, the bearings are sealed but still weep a tiny bit of red grease. I guess if the caps leak I will clean them up and silicone them with a little 510. The surfaces are clean and flat. I don't want to 'glue' them on and damage the magnesium later trying to remove them. I also see that Loc***e recommends a primer when 510 is used on mag parts....that would SURELY glue them together and make it difficult to remove.
If the cover weeps get paper gaskets, either from the local Detroit Diesel shop or your favorite blower shop, and install them with a light coat of grease. Should seal and be easily removable.
Sure, we all like a clean engine but there's nothing wrong with a "rough around the edges" engine with a blower!
If your sealed bearings weep a little make some paper gaskets out of an old brown paper grocery bag if you can find one and be done with it....Otherwise no gaskets are needed...
Use the paper type gaskets from a blower shop of your choice. I have them on mine , they never seep and I run quite a lot of boost.
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