Corvair Forum

I have a 66 Corsa, with a 4-speed Saginaw that had a gear lube leak into the Bell Housing.

Today I pulled the trans free from the engine and found no sign of a split–ring retainer for the seal. Inspecting the ID of the throw-out bearing support, I was expecting more of a grove that the split ring would snap into.

Take a look at the following – does this look right? Does the split ring only snap into that small grove (@ red arrow)?
The ID of the ‘snout’ is ~ 1.17” diameter.

The Sholder (yellow arrow) is about 1” deep from the front surface.

The small grove (red arrow) is about 0.7” deep from the front surface.

Is this small grove all that the split ring snaps into?

Does this look right to you?


The Seal in the following is no longer round – it measures from 1.16” to 1.17” and has “7010” stamped on the seal retainer. Does this look right?
Do I only need to clean this up, get a new seal and split ring and re-assemble? It is just not what I expected... I've watched Dave's videos and know to add sealer between seal retainer and snout...

Thanks for any guidance...

New Seal and Ring is Required, the Ring does not snap into anything, it has spring tension on it to stay put in the snout, also the ring is a limit guide to keep the shaft from Wobbling as much so it does not oval out the seal and leak as yours has done, put a little sealer on the outside of the new seal and Grease inside the seal lip and tap it in till it seats against the ledge in the snout and install the split ring retainer as I did in the video and you should be good to go!

As always - Davemoto is correct.

BTW - without that snap ring/guide it's almost certain the seal will be damaged when installing the transaxle onto the bellhousing.

Thanks Dave and 66vairguy... I didn't want to have to replace the 'snout'! Good to know that I can clean it up and go together with it...

Another question - I also need to change the seal at the selector shaft... Can I get that out without first removing the main and counter shafts?

Thanks again...

Davemoto has explained how to remove the selector shaft seal. I won't pretend to claim that I figured it out on myself. Dave recommends using a small wood/sheet metal screw to pierce the metal case and then you can pull it out, with a little work - you may have to work two spots 180 degrees off.

NOW - if the selector shaft has a worn spot where the seal fits then DO NOT push the new one all the way into the case, let is sit out a little to cover a non-worn spot on the selector shaft. Put a little sealer around the outside of the new seal.

Good luck.