Soak the rope seal in clean motor oil, and roll it out on a flat surface like a piece of plate glass until its diameter is reduced slightly. Use a piece of soft copper wire threaded through the end of the seal to pull it over the crankshaft, and push the other end into the slot at the same time. When the seal emerges from the end of the slot, use a packing tool like a piece of wooden dowel rod to pack it tightly into the slot. Retighten the three main bearing caps forward of the seal area and roll the crankshaft a few turns to shape the seal. Use a razor blade or a utility knife to trim the seal flush with the block, being careful not to scar the crankshaft in the process. Pack the lower rope into the cap, and trim it flush, then bolt everything together, being careful not to get seal material between the block and the cap.
Jerry
