I've got a '55 235 that I'm reassembling. I got the crank in, mains plastigaged and shimmed, neoprene lip rear main seal in and everything torqued down. As I was putting it together I noticed that the OD of the crank flange was lightly pitted. This is the surface that the seal lip rides on. I got nervous about the possibility of it leaking so now I've got it pulled back apart and am going to use the rope seal instead. I think it had a rope seal in it before and it was dry as a bone. What's the proper way to install it? Does it get installed dry or do you soak it in oil first (as I've seen online a couple of places)? Do the ends get cut flush both on the block and the cap or are they cut to stick out slightly on one or the other? Do the mating ends get some RTV on them or not? I welcome all experienced builders' advice. (No speculation please, I can guess with the best of 'em and I don't want to bolt this motor together with guesses.) Thanks in advance, Dale
