rear crank rope seal trouble

[felix37]

Well, I was getting ready to instal my crank this evening in my new engine. I had soaked my rope seals in oil for almost a week, before I put them in oil, I thought they seamed short, so tonight when I started to seat the rope seal in the aluminum retainer it lacked 3/8'' of an inch on each side from being flush with the top of the retainer. I'm wondering if I got two front rope seals? in my kit. The gasket kit is Best Gasket brand. anyone have any advice?
felix37

[4tford]

any pics??

[felix37]

Originally Posted by 4tford

any pics??

Here's a picture

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

That looks like the front seal to me. The Best gasket set usually come with a couple of black, kind of square seals that is about 1/2in, longer on each end. There should be sharp knife in a bag in the set with directions how to install it. Walt

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Sorry, after looking at the pic again, that rear seal retainer does not take rope seal. You must have a the 37 engine or even up to 42 The first flathead with a rope seal was 46 59AB block. You crank should have a slinger that goes I to that aluminum retainer. Walt

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

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What year crank are you useing? Walt

[4tford]

That retainer does not use a seal. Do you have a pic of the main cap??

[felix37]

Walt, I got robbed! I just checked my box again, no black square seals, just the two white rope seals. At least I know what to look for now! I believe we have some of those black seals at the shop, I guess I will have to wait till tomorrow!

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Felix, read some more post replys. that retainer does not take a seal. What year crank are you using. Walt

[felix37]

It's a 39 221 with the original crank

[4tford]

should look something like this

[felix37]

Thanks guys! I should have followed my instincts I had already installed the crank without them earlier today but started looking through one of my many books to double check the torque and saw a picture with a guy hammering a rope seal in the retainer and got nervous. just now looked at the book and it was 49-53 engine. Oh well, this is a learning experience!

[felix37]

Originally Posted by 4tford

should look something like this

Yep! That's it!
Thanks!

[4tford]

I went through that a couple of months ago. Crank was in and out to many times. Hence the pics.

[Ross F-1]

That journal is gorgeous, Bill! Whoever does your work does it well!

[4tford]

Thanks Ross, I am rather fortunate to have two excellent machine shops in town. One does the balancing and the other all the machine work.