The Ford Barn

Laredo · 08-19-2022, 06:51 PM

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to A's and trying to figure things out so I can get the oil pan put back on tomorrow (hopefully).

I was taking a wire wheel to the oil pan to clean off the old glued-on paper gasket that was originally on there. My wheel just happened to fit almost perfectly down in the groove where the front rope seal goes into, so I figured I'd clean it up...until these little bits of metal started flying up. It looks like lead maybe? It's very soft. You can see where the wire wheel score it, and I can also pry an edge with a screwdriver.

Is this supposed to be in there? Did the engine builder put that in to make the rope tighter around the crankshaft? Is it hiding something? Fixing something? Do I need to remove it all?

Bob C · 08-19-2022, 07:17 PM

Yes it's lead, chek out the third picture in this link.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/NOSAoilpan.htm

Laredo · 08-19-2022, 07:22 PM

I removed a small amount of it before I realized what was going on.

Am I going to have any sealing problems?

Do I need to put any sealant in the groove before putting the rope seal in there?

Do I need to try to smooth out my wire wheel grooves with some sand paper?

Synchro909 · 08-19-2022, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laredo

I removed a small amount of it before I realized what was going on.

Am I going to have any sealing problems?

Do I need to put any sealant in the groove before putting the rope seal in there?

Do I need to try to smooth out my wire wheel grooves with some sand paper?

I don't think you will have any problems there. The rope seal is pretty tight and gets quite compressed as you tighten the bolts around the sump (pan). If you want to make doubly sure, put a wipe of Permatex or silicone in there before the rope.
Others will chime in, I'm sure.

rotorwrench · 08-20-2022, 12:37 AM

As long as it still has solder to hold the oil in the pan it will be OK. It can always be resoldered if needed.

nkaminar · 08-20-2022, 07:31 AM

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I will recommend more than a dab of sealant as the cavity is no longer the correct shape.

History · 08-20-2022, 08:42 AM

Are the holes visible around the area the lead goes in for the lead to go into to, to hold it in place better or something else?? Weep holes?

Probably a better way to ask that question,,,,,,,

katy · 08-20-2022, 11:08 AM

Don't forget to soak the rope seal in oil overnight before installing it.

Laredo · 08-20-2022, 02:12 PM

So how would that work if I need to add sealant to the groove but also have been advised to soak the rope in oil?

I should note that it wasn't solid lead or solder before I wire wheeled it (I only put it in the groove twice). The pic of the NOS oil pan in the link posted in the #2 reply in this thread looks very similar to mine in that it wasn't covered completely with lead. Some of the steel is showing.

nkaminar · 08-20-2022, 04:14 PM

The old seals needed to be soaked in oil but I think the ones available now are Teflon and don't need to be soaked. In any case the silicone will not stick to the seal but fill up any gap. Permatex gasket sealer will stick to the seal. Put some assembly lube on the rubbing part of the seal and the matching part of the pulley.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8195.../dp/B000HBNVSK

08-19-2022, 06:51 PM	#1
Laredo Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Louisiana Posts: 40	Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to A's and trying to figure things out so I can get the oil pan put back on tomorrow (hopefully). I was taking a wire wheel to the oil pan to clean off the old glued-on paper gasket that was originally on there. My wheel just happened to fit almost perfectly down in the groove where the front rope seal goes into, so I figured I'd clean it up...until these little bits of metal started flying up. It looks like lead maybe? It's very soft. You can see where the wire wheel score it, and I can also pry an edge with a screwdriver. Is this supposed to be in there? Did the engine builder put that in to make the rope tighter around the crankshaft? Is it hiding something? Fixing something? Do I need to remove it all?

08-19-2022, 07:22 PM	#3
Laredo Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Louisiana Posts: 40	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? I removed a small amount of it before I realized what was going on. Am I going to have any sealing problems? Do I need to put any sealant in the groove before putting the rope seal in there? Do I need to try to smooth out my wire wheel grooves with some sand paper?

08-20-2022, 12:37 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? As long as it still has solder to hold the oil in the pan it will be OK. It can always be resoldered if needed.

08-20-2022, 07:31 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I will recommend more than a dab of sealant as the cavity is no longer the correct shape. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-20-2022, 08:42 AM	#7
History Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: NC Mountains Posts: 689	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? Are the holes visible around the area the lead goes in for the lead to go into to, to hold it in place better or something else?? Weep holes? Probably a better way to ask that question,,,,,,,

08-19-2022, 07:17 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,757	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? Yes it's lead, chek out the third picture in this link. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/NOSAoilpan.htm

08-20-2022, 11:08 AM	#8
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? Don't forget to soak the rope seal in oil overnight before installing it. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-20-2022, 02:12 PM	#9
Laredo Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Louisiana Posts: 40	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? So how would that work if I need to add sealant to the groove but also have been advised to soak the rope in oil? I should note that it wasn't solid lead or solder before I wire wheeled it (I only put it in the groove twice). The pic of the NOS oil pan in the link posted in the #2 reply in this thread looks very similar to mine in that it wasn't covered completely with lead. Some of the steel is showing.

08-20-2022, 04:14 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: Is this lead in the oil pan rope seal groove? The old seals needed to be soaked in oil but I think the ones available now are Teflon and don't need to be soaked. In any case the silicone will not stick to the seal but fill up any gap. Permatex gasket sealer will stick to the seal. Put some assembly lube on the rubbing part of the seal and the matching part of the pulley. https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8195.../dp/B000HBNVSK __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.