I am refreshing a d16z6 engine before dropping it into my rt4wd wagon. I've been slowly replacing wear/tear items and made it to the rear main seal today. I pulled the housing off, started trying to remove the gasket, and noticed that something seems off. My rear main seal housing has a metal ring in the center, there was gasket material on both sides of it. I had ordered a brand new rear main seal from honda specific for the z6, and it also does not seem like quite the right one. Am I missing something?

In the pictures, the area in the center where you can see gasket material somewhat taken off is metal.

 

No gasket or sealant is used between the cover and rear oil seal. Clean the seal/cover mating surface and avoid scratching it.

 

The metal ring is part of the old seal and needs to come out to throw away. You have ripped the old seal apart and left its frame ring behind instead of removing it completely. This will become apparent when you have the new seal in hand.

 

Good catch.

 

Did not realize the old seal had a metal ring in it! The new seal shows no metal ring, just a circle spring on the inside groove. I was wondering if that metal ring needed to come out. Thanks!!