Ditto to all of the above- - - -although my success rate has been just a bit better than Jon's. Over the past 60-something years, I've changed maybe half a dozen rope seals "in the vehicle" without creating a worse leak. Usually, I cheat- - - -lower the crankshaft a little, drive a thin stainless steel shim between the upper seal rope and the block, and install a new rope on the bottom. The stainless steel strip that retains the rubber on a windshield wiper blade works pretty well to tighten up the top rope.
Back when labor time was figured at about $15.00 an hour, it was possible to break even, if not actually make a profit on that kind of work. Those days are as long gone as getting change from a dollar for a lunch of a hamburger, fries, and a Coke!
Jerry
