The rope should be packed in the block side and pressed in the cap, if its like most rope seals. The block side will try to unpack or uncompress as the motor runs and it will conform to the cap side of the seal. It will form a continuous seal around the crank. You don't want anything on the ends that will keep them from blending together. All the Pontiac's I have built use the rope seals and when done right, last forever. Since they took the asbestos out of the seal material, its very hard to get one to last or even to go in right. Hope your "Best Gasket" works ! Joe

1937 Chevrolet Inline-powered Streetrod