360 main cap question

[dwhip361]

Hey guys, I'm assembling my 73 360 engine and during the crank install I noticed the rear main cap has a slot cut in it . It's about 1/8 inch wide and 1/8th deep that runs from the inside edge of the cap to the outside edge. Is something supposed to be in there? When I took it apart it looked like a bunch of crud in there. Any help would be appreciated. I should have taken a picture. Thanks, Dave

 

[toolmanmike]

Need a photo

 

[67Dart273]

Yup. picchur. Rear seal?

 

[toolmanmike]

Yup. picchur. Rear seal?

My guess too.

 

[dwhip361]

My guess too.

I'll post a pic later, definitely not the rear seal. Thanks guys.

 

[67Dart273]

is it the space for the oil slinger?

 

[Bad Sport]

I suspect this is the groove. My 77 has it too.

 

[toolmanmike]

This guy? It captures the oil that sprays out of the bearing and returns it to the pan through the hole in the middle.

 

[Bad Sport]

View attachment 1715051869 This guy? It captures the oil that sprays out of the bearing and returns it to the pan through the hole in the middle.

I think he is asking about the slots that are to the sides of that groove.

 

[dwhip361]

I think he is asking about the slots that are to the sides of that groove.

Yes, the slots next to the groove.

 

[toolmanmike]

For the side tabs.

 

[dwhip361]

For the side tabs.View attachment 1715051885

My seal doesn't have any tabs and that's not the seal groove.

 

[toolmanmike]

Sorry, this is the one I saw. It's listed for a 75 360. All the rest listed were regular 2 piece seals.