Rear Main Oil Seal Questions

[Andydodge]

Was talking to a mate who is a very exp'd, licenced mecahnic & hot rodder and mentioned my psyching myself up for the removal/instal of the rear main oil seal in my 41 Plymouth & he expressed surprise that there wasn't,as far as I knew, any replacement neoprene seal for the old rope seal. I told him that my understanding is that the rope seal must be replaced with a rope seal and that there are neoprene/rubber seals to suit the later engines but these don't have/can't fit the earlier rope seal engines........I have ordered a rope seal from Roberts in the US anyway and intend to fit this, my engine btw is the original with an engine number starting with P11 so I think I am pretty safe here.........I know there are differences between the rear main seal fittings/mount/block/crank and the later seals won't fit but has there ever been a metal/rubber aftermarket seal to replace the rope?( the reason I ask is that Oz GM Holden sixes have an aftermarket rubber seal to replace the original factory rope seal, which is why my mate assumed there should be something similar for the mopar six), ......also has anyone had experience with the "Sneaky Pete" rope oil seal tool?.........lots of questions..........lol...............thanks, andyd

[blueskies]

Andy-

My original seal on my '50 block was a rope type. I bought two different types to replace it, and they were both rubber...

One of the new seals, was a face mount type in two pieces. It has rubber instead of the rope. The other, was the type of neoprene seal that fits into the machined groove in the block and the rear main bearing cap.

I didn't know if my block was machined for the second type, so I bought both. Turned out that I had a block machined for the second type, so I used it instead of the face mount type. I think I still have the face mount type with the rubber, I'll have a look.

One issue I had, is that the rear main bearing cap on my engine has a curious hole tapped through, that was covered by the old face mount seal. The groove mount seal did not cover the hole, so I filled it with JB Weld...

Pete

[TodFitch]

...snip... One of the new seals, was a face mount type in two pieces. It has rubber instead of the rope. ...snip...

Hi Pete,

Do you have the manufacturer and/or part number for the face mount type in two pieces that uses rubber?

Thanks!

Tod

[blueskies]

Hi Pete,

Do you have the manufacturer and/or part number for the face mount type in two pieces that uses rubber?

Thanks!

Tod

Tod-

I need to dig through my pile of parts stuff and see if I can find the face mount seal. I don't know if it has any numbers on it or not.

I bought both seals from Vintage Power Wagons though, you could give them a call and I'm sure they can get what you need.

Pete

[Andydodge]

Pete thanks for the reply, I knew about your holefilling exercise, but it seems strange that mopar seems to have no definate dates, etc for when each type was introduced or if mopar knew, nobody else had been told........lol..........anyway I'll run with the rope seal at this stage, hopefully get into it this weekend........btw trust things are looking up for you re the economy, etc........I have a hobby/book shop and we've been in a 30-50% drop in sales from last Sept, tho' starting to pick up now.........been fun......lol.......andyd

[blueskies]

I have a hobby/book shop and we've been in a 30-50% drop in sales from last Sept, tho' starting to pick up now.........been fun......lol.......andyd

Not much light in the tunnel yet... I took a job in a Title insurance office 100 miles from my house to keep food on the table... The drive is getting old very quickly...

Pete

[Andydodge]

Pete, things will work out.......tho' I hope you're not doing that daily........regards, andyd

[james curl]

Pete, it'll all work out for the best in the long run. In latter years when you look back at your life you will usually find that when one door closes another opens. I believe in a master plan for each of us, people come and go in our lives for a reason which we do not always understand. The Title company job may open up another opportunity in your life. When all looks black in the tunnel just be grateful you still have your family and can still guide and watch your children grow. Our greatest gift is our children. At least the hundred mile commute both ways is not on Interstate 35 or one of the other wall to wall interstate highways here in America. From the pictures you usually post of the beautiful country you live in it looks like it could be doable for some time if necessary.

[blueskies]

Pete, things will work out.......tho' I hope you're not doing that daily........regards, andyd

Yep, daily. Fortunately, I'm driving the hybrid I won a couple of years ago, averaging 44 mpg...

At least the hundred mile commute both ways is not on Interstate 35 or one of the other wall to wall interstate highways here in America. From the pictures you usually post of the beautiful country you live in it looks like it could be doable for some time if necessary.

No interstate, and I'm just about the only one on the road in the morning, not counting the rabbits, skunks, coyotes, antelope, deer, and elk. The big critters are starting to migrate back to the high country, and I've been dodging them a couple of times a day.

Back to the topic, here's a pic of the face mount rubber seal I have.

The number on the seal is: 9025 RM

I bought this seal from Vintage Power Wagons about 10 years ago.

Pete

[Andydodge]

Pete, surprise, surprise........I have a block that has a P11 engine number( note I said this rather than a P11 engine as NOW I am not sure...lol).........I pulled the sump off today, and on looking at the rear main cap I could see that I didn't have what I expected to see, ie, a rope seal.........I have a face mounted rubber seal, two piece, top and bottom as shown in your pics molded to a metal plate and held on via 3 small bolts into the main cap and block(buggar!!)........but what was even odder was that there are no "cap gaskets", those small "L" shaped rubber/neoprene pieces that sit in grooves either side of the main cap.......I have looked in all the Plymouth workshop manuals I have and it appears that no matter what type of seal is used there should be some sort of "cap gasket".........this would explain the damn oil leaks in some way I think.........so I have a complete Best gasket set for the 230 which has the correct "gap gaskets" and the "machined groove" seal, a rope seal on its way from Roberts in Mass. in the USA and a Sneaky Pete rope seal extraction/installation tool kit which is coming from Melbourne and I still don't have the correct seal thats in the mongrel car............so I am trying to decide whether the take the rest of the drivetrain, driveshaft, gearbox, etc up to the flywheel so I can install the face mount seal I don't have!!!!.................I HATE CARS!!!!!!!!...............lol.......well sometimes anyway.......now I feel better, am gunna, go lie down........oops..........thats what I just did........lol.................andyd

[aero3113]

I just came across this on the bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Engine-Rear-Main-Seal-Set-Plymouth-Special-Deluxe-50_W0QQitemZ280497603562QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item414ef5c3ea

[blueskies]

....I have a face mounted rubber seal, two piece, top and bottom as shown in your pics...

Let me know if you want the seal I have, it's yours for postage...

Pete

[Andydodge]

Pete, I'll take you up on that offer, let me know what the postage is, they should fit in a small padded bag..........the details are......Andy Douglas 44 Skinner Street Sth Grafton NSW Australia 2460......and can I pay you via paypal?.......regards, andyd

[blueskies]

Pete, I'll take you up on that offer, let me know what the postage is, they should fit in a small padded bag..........the details are......Andy Douglas 44 Skinner Street Sth Grafton NSW Australia 2460......and can I pay you via paypal?.......regards, andyd

I'll get the postage monday, and yes, paypal is fine. Palpal to:

blueskies@andersonarc.com

Pete

[Andydodge]

Pete, let me know what I owe you, many thanks......andyd