Rear main question

[Bluemonster71RT]

Since I am doing my flywheel and clutch I figured that I should fix the little leak from the rear main. When I pulled the bearing cap down and pulled the seal out I saw that there is whatever gasket making material they used in the retainer. Is that supposed to be? Of all the articles I read none said to do that, only the sides where the stick ones go.
Any help here would be appreciated. Its been almost a month since I drove the car and I'm getting itchy, mostly from laying on my back on cardboard but itchy all the same.... .

[Chryco Psycho]

It should seal without , But I always use a thin layer of silicone on the outer edge of the seal , & I offset the seal approx 10* so the ends are not even with the seal plate , I also use sealer between the cap & block , most times the leak is more likely on the sides where the side strips go , I have got into the habit of using Right Stuff sealer & using a long thin screwdriver put a bead inside the block between the side of the cap & the block , it can be done from the outside also but will resist pressure better inside , Fel Pro has gone to pipe cleaner strips along the side instead of the fiber strips , I have no clue how that is supposed to work the pipe cleaner strips willl not seal to anything  so I have often had to reuse the fiber strips .

[Bluemonster71RT]

It should seal without , But I always use a thin layer of silicone on the outer edge of the seal , & I offset the seal approx 10* so the ends are not even with the seal plate , I also use sealer between the cap & block , most times the leak is more likely on the sides where the side strips go , I have got into the habit of using Right Stuff sealer & using a long thin screwdriver put a bead inside the block between the side of the cap & the block , it can be done from the outside also but will resist pressure better inside , Fel Pro has gone to pipe cleaner strips along the side instead of the fiber strips , I have no clue how that is supposed to work the pipe cleaner strips willl not seal to anything  so I have often had to reuse the fiber strips .

I wonder if that's why it was dripping a little after every drive. The sides were sealed no evidence of leaking. The drip was dead center of the bottom seal.
So you mean actually inside the block you put the sealant on the seam of the cap? I have ultra black and ultra copper. Will either of those do the same as Right stuff?  And as I have also read, no sealant between the side gaskets and the block?

Pushed the top seal out and it was also glued in. Thats not giving me the warm and fuzzies. Suppose I'm gonna have to slide the new seal in and hope for the best.

[Chryco Psycho]

Right Stuff is a better sealer & you want the surface 100% oil free & Yes I put a thin bead inside where the cap meets the block
just sure the seal is facing with the lip in , I do everything possible to prevent a leak back there as it is a pain to do it twice

[Bluemonster71RT]

Ok. Well seal is in, pan assembly is in. Just got to cross the fingers and hope it doesn't leak again. Thanks for the help!!!
Life would be easier without this stupid scatter shield.

[RUNCHARGER]

I always put a very light dab of sealer in the retainer as well. Most of the leaks I find are from the side seal area, not the actual crank seal itself. I think it's easy for the side seals/sealer to become dislodged when pushing the retainer in.

[Chryco Psycho]

The "stupid" scattershield might just keep your feet intact

[Bluemonster71RT]

If I only ever took it to the track or raced it. I got the thing many many years ago when what I believe was that the clutch fork fell into the bell on the highway and blew out and shattered the original bell.
We couldn't find a replacement at the time. I understand what it's purpose is but I don't use the car for such purposes. So at this point it's positives are clearly out weighed by it's negatives. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I understand , I have had them in a few of my cars as well but I drive them hard too