[Big Buick]

Nothing worse than screwing one up when they don't give you extra ones in the seal kit. I never liked that little knife thingy you're supposed to use. Here's how I do it and it's been foolproof for me:

1- First grease the bejuses out of all 3 seals, and the chamfers too, with petroleum jelly.

2- Using PLASTIC electrical tape, wrap it around the big seal one full turn, stretching it and leaving it overlap around the bottom about 1/4". Be sure to and leave a few inches of tape hanging out the top. (you will later grab that with a good pliers to pull out the tape.) Yes, you need to tape right over the jelly.

3- Then with a gentle as possible pushing and rotating motion, in the opposite direction as the tape is wound, the piston will go in and it will be somewhat tight. Next, carefully slide it upward ever so slightly so the tape doesn't get pinched under the piston and break off the tape when you pull.

4- Then CAREFULLY pull the tape out using a good sharp pliers, try pulling sideways, that seems to work better b/c it doesn't bunch up the tape in the tight space between the piston and the bore.

5- VOILA! It's in! Now just carefully twist it and check that it can wobble a little- this way if a seal somehow got pinched you may catch it.

Hope this helps.....as an amateur this method has worked well for me. I learned the hard way doing my first tranny job and tore the darned seal trying to do it using a home made knife thingy.

[jakeshoe]

Why are you installing all 3 seals in the direct drum?

I only use 2.

Sounds workable but I would worry about loose tape in the trans.

You can use a large piece of thin plastic, something along the lines of a 3 liter soda bottle sectioned. This works as an installer if your lip seal tool skills are lacking.

[adantessr]

I always used two thin feeler gauges . Worked for me !

[Crosley]

STP and trans fluid mixed 1 - 1 works very well for lubrication of the seals, better than the trans gel stuff in my opinion.

the small piano wire loop device works well if you do not like the thin feeler gauge tool. I've used both

[Big Buick]

Originally Posted by jakeshoe

Why are you installing all 3 seals in the direct drum?

I only use 2.

Unless you're dual feeding, wouldn't that cause you to lose reverse?

BTW, I saw your you tube video......your Chevelle is a true musclecar!