Replacing the rear main seal V6

Got my "Sneaky Pete" and some assembly lube this morning. Discovered the gasket set I had was not complete so I went looking on the web. Found a Felpro set supposedly on sale at www.pickpropart.com for $71 plus shipping.
I've checked the archives for rear maining seal replacement. There is plenty of info including different types of seals available, different opinions, problems etc, but no step by step. References to Dr Vern's sight were mentioned but I couldn't find any info there. Does anyone know where or if there is a discription of the process there? His throughness and pictures are always helpful.
Once the seal is replaced sucessfully I wonder if the clutch-chatter problem will solve itself or will I still have to take out the clutch and clean it. Perhaps the fact that the chatter does not begin until the engine warms up and the oil begins to leak I may get lucky and the back breaking job of pull the trans and clutch maybe avoided. Only one way to find out!

 

Check out the site http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/WillysTech/
and go to the Knowledge base. Do a search for "rear main seal", and you will have hours and hours of stuff to look through. You will find that the good Doc recommends using RTV in the holes where the rubber plugs go.
That is how I did (ahem, re-did) my RMS, and it worked great. Trick is to not be in a hurry, as it takes a mass of RTV that large quite a bit of time to fully cure through. Only other word of advice, make sure that every surface is clean, clean, clean. Brake cleaner is a good thing to have around. HTH

 

Ah, I 'm a bit embarrassed to ask but what is RTV?

 

RTV = "room temperature vulcanization"

aka silicone sealer.

 

Funny, I have been wrenching for 25 years and never asked myself what RTV stands for.

I have heard that when the main is bolted in place, RTV in the seam between main and block will also reduce some seepage of oil.