The Ford Barn

3twinridges · 07-31-2025, 01:53 PM

Have read numerous posts about the best gasket front rope seals. I gather in those posts that the consensus is to not trim them. I compared the length of the best gasket rope seals to a correct NOS rope seal and the length difference is substantial, maybe 1/2” longer. Not sure how you could use the best gasket ropes without a trim, thoughts?

JB

petehoovie · 07-31-2025, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3twinridges

Have read numerous posts about the best gasket front rope seals. I gather in those posts that the consensus is to not trim them. I compared the length of the best gasket rope seals to a correct NOS rope seal and the length difference is substantial, maybe 1/2” longer. Not sure how you could use the best gasket ropes without a trim, thoughts?

JB

3twinridges · 07-31-2025, 05:05 PM

Almost makes me want to use the NOS that do not need cutting. They are in great shape.

vincent · 08-01-2025, 03:48 AM

I found differencies in the groove depth and shape of various oil pans. For example the groove in my french flatheads differs in width and deepness with the US Ford oil pan. When using the US pan I had to reshape that groove with a formpiece that was clamped over the groove that I filled with JB-weld. After curing I had the same shape in the pan as in the upper timing cover. After redrilling the drain hole in the pan groove I inserted the rope seals and let them protrude around a millimeter over the surface of the cork seal. The rope in the pan is also a millimeter higher than the surface. Doing it this way gives me a dry seal every time on these engines.

cadillac512 · 08-01-2025, 10:19 AM

Roll 'em in firmly with a big socket or piece of pipe then trim as vincent says. No way would the "best" seals pack into the grooves at supplied length. Hard to cut too...have a very sharp razor blade held in a vise-grip plier or such and be careful.

Ross F-1 · 08-02-2025, 01:09 PM

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Doesn't Best provide a "popsicle stick" with a cutout around the rope, that you use to cut the rope at the proper projection? I recall they even provided a snap-off knife to cut it.

Brian · 08-02-2025, 03:01 PM

Thats for the rear seal

tubman · 08-02-2025, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Thats for the rear seal

Why wouldn't it work for both? They're both rope seals.

It worked for me.

Brian · 08-02-2025, 05:04 PM

Yeah, the popsicle stick and knife obviously could trim the front rope seal, but they are furnished in the Best gasket set along with a paper spacer in order to trim the rear seal at the correct height.

07-31-2025, 05:05 PM	#3
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 621	Re: 8BA front seals Almost makes me want to use the NOS that do not need cutting. They are in great shape.

08-01-2025, 03:48 AM	#4
vincent Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 242	Re: 8BA front seals I found differencies in the groove depth and shape of various oil pans. For example the groove in my french flatheads differs in width and deepness with the US Ford oil pan. When using the US pan I had to reshape that groove with a formpiece that was clamped over the groove that I filled with JB-weld. After curing I had the same shape in the pan as in the upper timing cover. After redrilling the drain hole in the pan groove I inserted the rope seals and let them protrude around a millimeter over the surface of the cork seal. The rope in the pan is also a millimeter higher than the surface. Doing it this way gives me a dry seal every time on these engines. Last edited by vincent; 08-01-2025 at 11:23 AM.

08-01-2025, 10:19 AM	#5
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,172	Re: 8BA front seals Roll 'em in firmly with a big socket or piece of pipe then trim as vincent says. No way would the "best" seals pack into the grooves at supplied length. Hard to cut too...have a very sharp razor blade held in a vise-grip plier or such and be careful. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

08-02-2025, 01:09 PM	#6
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,443	Re: 8BA front seals Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Doesn't Best provide a "popsicle stick" with a cutout around the rope, that you use to cut the rope at the proper projection? I recall they even provided a snap-off knife to cut it. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

08-02-2025, 03:01 PM	#7
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,998	Re: 8BA front seals Thats for the rear seal __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

08-02-2025, 05:04 PM	#9
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,998	Re: 8BA front seals Yeah, the popsicle stick and knife obviously could trim the front rope seal, but they are furnished in the Best gasket set along with a paper spacer in order to trim the rear seal at the correct height. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!