Rear Main Oil Seal Question

[Jim Yergin]

I am reassembling my engine. It uses the rope type rear main oil seal. I could not find the replacement neoprene seals. I purchased the FelPro rope seal that is supposed to be for my block (a P23 block). The instructions say to press the rope into the groove and then cut the ends off even with the block and the sides of the cap. The pieces of rope seal that were in my set are not long enough to reach much less have any extra to cut off. I would say they are about 1/4 inch short on both ends of coming level with the block. Do I have a problem?

Jim Yergin

[jd52cranbrook]

Leak for sure. But it does sound like its the correct gasket if it is that short.

[hkestes41]

I used a Rear Main Rope Seal from these guys abut a year ago with no leaks since. The seal they sell is graphite impregnated and is supposed to seal better than the standard rope seal.

http://www.bestgasket.com/

Here is a quote from Street Rodder on these seals.

"In response, BESTgasket introduced GraphTite rope rear main seals, made from braided PTFE (aka Teflon) fibers with graphite. The sealing results are remarkable and the installation is simple with easy trimming. The rope material is highly conformable, filling in any seal housing inconsistencies. Its naturally slick surface places less drag on the crankshaft, allowing for detection of other "hang-ups" during the engine build".

and link to full article on installing in a Y-Block Ford.

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0810sr_bestgasket_rope_seals_ford_y_block/index.html

[Dodgeb4ya]

Looks like a china-ese replacement product-gotta love that!

[Jim Yergin]

I used a Rear Main Rope Seal from these guys abut a year ago with no leaks since. The seal they sell is graphite impregnated and is supposed to seal better than the standard rope seal.

http://www.bestgasket.com/

Here is a quote from Street Rodder on these seals.

"In response, BESTgasket introduced GraphTite rope rear main seals, made from braided PTFE (aka Teflon) fibers with graphite. The sealing results are remarkable and the installation is simple with easy trimming. The rope material is highly conformable, filling in any seal housing inconsistencies. Its naturally slick surface places less drag on the crankshaft, allowing for detection of other "hang-ups" during the engine build".

and link to full article on installing in a Y-Block Ford.

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0810sr_bestgasket_rope_seals_ford_y_block/index.html

Thank you very much for the information. Through the BESTgasket web site I found and ordered a neoprene replacement seal. I was hoping to make it to the second annual car show at my son's high school this Saturday. The first one was a lot of fun. While I hate having to wait even longer to get the car back on the road, for sure I do not want to have to take the engine out again to repair a leaky rear main seal.

Jim Yergin

[P-12 Tommy]

Don't feel bad Jim. Mine leaks pretty good too. I'm about ready to order the gaskets and seals to do mine.

Tom