The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk rope main seals

What can you guys tell me about replacing the rope main seal with a neoprene seal? Will the standard seal in a gasket set fit the 1955-58 small blocks?

Oh come on guys! I thought I'd get all my answers here.

books state the neoprene seal won't fit the rope blocks properly, but whada they know? some folks say they do it and it works - I've always used the rope in blocks meant for that, and had good luck

Bill

Use rope where rope came out as Red58 stated,unless the block/cap has been cut for neoprene.My friend had a Crosley truck and couldn't get a rear main seal.Had the block machined to fit a one piece aircraft seal(propshaft seal).Cost big bucks but it sure looked nice.

They make a neoprene seal as a replacement for the rope. At least they did when I replaced the rear main seal on my father in-laws 55 Ford Customline. Unless the engine is out and the crank is out, you may then have a 50% chance of getting a rope to seal. good luck,
Scott

Most of the common repairs such as main seal replacement have been discussed numerous times and a lot of the repairs are in the tech tips section.. use the search function.

builder, go here Tech tip and use the rope or wick type seal. It is cheap and works better. Try to get the old wick type seal if possible. Don't soak it as some have tried before the install (it will swell on ya and won't fit).

Oly, is this tech tip true for the sb v8 also?

rope seals work fine if installed correctly..neoprene seals work also,,have installed them where a rope was removed and had no problems....doc

OK, Heres the dope as I have found out. The 1955-1958 small block chevy 265-283 cubic inch motor uses a rope seal. We all new that. The main seal in the later model gasket kits will not even fit. I ordered a seal from Ecklers ($30 something each)that was a rope seal replacement. It comes with a wire that is inserted next to the seal to keep it in its correct position. I don't see a problem with this design, but then again I haven't run the engine yet.
When I went to the local parts store, they said they could get one for my engine for $11. When I went to pick it up the package said 1959-1967. It would not fit the early sbc. I had the attending counter computer parts looker upper check out the earlier engines for the same part number. They either had a rope seal or the late model neoprene seal. The years in their computer gave the late model seal number for the 1957s too. So I guess in answer to my own questions are;

1. No, the standard seal in the sbc gasket kits will not fit the early years.
2. The standard gasket kits do not come with a rope seal, and the after market neoprene seal is quite expensive.
3. If the parts guy can read a computer but cannot read a book, your chances of successful cross referencing are slimmer still.

4. if the parts guy looks much younger than 50, find a different parts place

Bill