[79 Phoenix]

I am having a hard time replacing the bearing retainer seal in my M-13 3 speed. It almost presses in but just won't. It is rubber and will compress but also is spring-loaded. I don't want to ruin it trying to put it in. I have cleaned up the retained and sanded it a bit. Also sanded the circumference of the seal a little... ANY TRICKS OR SUGGESTIONS?

Also, Does the solid, flat part of the new seal (first picture) face the retainer with the open side (second picture) facing the transmission?

[steve25]

Do you have the old one to compare?

[79 Phoenix]

The old one came out in small pieces. It was very brittle. So I don't have the old one. I'm almost certain the flat side faced the retainer.

[steve25]

Sometimes you can tell by the sealing lip and it’s surrounding support .

Pressure build up in the trans should
Slightly move/ load the lip harder on the shaft.

[79 Phoenix]

I found out the open side of the seal faces the bearing retainer and the solid side faces the transmission. I tried to install using a same-sized socket and a hammer...but ruined the seal as I had feared... Sooo, I have a new seal coming next week and will bring it to a transmission shop to have them install in my bearing retainer.

[unruhjonny]

Reposting from the other thread incase this helps:

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I was wrong.

We have a seal;
It actually looks as though the seal used in the saginaw transmissions is the same one we use.
Group 4.354
Pt # 39879; supersedes #3761933 (Nov 1974 printing)

This is the "truck" bearing retainer I had replaced on my "A" gear set transmission - you can see the installed seal still in place:

[79 Phoenix]

Yes, thanks! I had forgotten you had posted that picture months back. Confirms what the guy at Garage Motorsports told me... flat side out--open side toward bearing retainer.