Maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the rubber seal will interchange with a rope seal on a 216, will it? On the later-model engines, there's s very different machined surface where the seal goes when it's equipped with the rubber lip seal.
If you'll use the search function, you will find page after page of methods, suggestions, and sneaky tricks on changing rear main bearing oil seals, including a couple I've written. I think there's at least one tech tip entry on rope seal replacement, too.
Jerry
