My engine is a 1962 261, full pressure-full circulation filtration, and which I believe came stock with a rope seal.
Truckernix is right- If you only need to replace the crank seal you don't have to pull the timing cover, just take out the radiator, pull the crank pulley, pull the round seal from the timing cover and put a new one back in. Putting the crank pulley on might be a bit of a pain in the rear if it hasn't already been drilled and tapped to take a bolt. However, drilling and tapping the crank to be able to press on the crank pulley with a bolt isn't a big deal. You might also be able to heat up the crank pulley in the oven to get it to expand, place it on the crank, put a piece of wood infront of it and smack it into place with a hammer. Personally, I'd drill and tap the crank.
If the timing cover gasket is leaking you will have to pull the radiator, crank pulley, and then the oil pan to get to the two lower bolts which come from the inside through the front main bearing cap. Those bolts have a flat metal retaining clip on them that you have to bend to loosen the bolts. (Which probably has a special name I don't know).
Even if it is the timing cover that is leaking it is something you can do and might be expensive to have a mechanic do for you. Just take your time and keep track of the bolts.
If you do have to pull the timing cover and front bearing cap, that would be a good time to thread the holes in the bearing cap and put the bolts in from the outside so that next time you don't have to pull the pan.
