The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop for upgrade-better than the rope on rear main? ('55 261)

Is there better up grade other then the rope on the rear main on a 1955 261 send a PM Thanks

Here is the permanent fix. However, it requires machining the back of the engine block and the rear main bearing cap to install the seal. The engine has to be torn down to the bare block to do that. I've been installing these seals for almost 10 years. Any "machinist" worthy of the name can do the job.

https://www.motion.com/products/sku/01315653

Jerry

Please show us pictures of your equipment and process to enlighten us.


To the OP here are 2 examples of this process both of which I consider primitive and painfully slow. The first is done on a milling machine with a horizontal attachment:

Rear Seal Conversion for 216 235 261 to One-Piece

This example is done with line boring equipment…about ¾ down the page.

https://41chevystreetrod.blogspot.com/

I routinely modify mud pumps approximately the size of a stovebolt block from NPT to ORB ports so this easily fits in my work envelope. I’m tempted to pull one from my stash to demonstrate (in real life) the process with modern machine tools.

That would be terrific to see. I have seen those videos and there is what I think is a lot of set up and work involved. Maybe a little more straight forward with more modern equipment?

I fabricated a thick steel plate that fits onto the back of the block with the bell housing attaching bolts and mounts my Van Norman cylinder boring bar to center up in the rear main bearing bore. That machine dates back to the late 1950s. I can be making chips with less than an hour of setup time. The whole works is portable- - - -I machined two blocks for lip seals at the "Homecoming" at Grigg's place a while back.
Jerry