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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 77 | I am getting ready to pull out my 216 to reseal it. It leaks very bad. The fellow that did the overhaul job on it a few years ago didn't know what a gasket was I guess. But hear is my main concern.
1.) What is the best procedure in removing and installing a new rear main seal?
2.) Which seal is the best to use: Rubber or the old rope type?
Thanks
John | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,783 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,783 | Maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the rubber seal will interchange with a rope seal on a 216, will it? On the later-model engines, there's s very different machined surface where the seal goes when it's equipped with the rubber lip seal.
If you'll use the search function, you will find page after page of methods, suggestions, and sneaky tricks on changing rear main bearing oil seals, including a couple I've written. I think there's at least one tech tip entry on rope seal replacement, too.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | There is a changeover rubber seal for 235 engines but I don,t know about the 216.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 | Best Gasket makes rope seals from teflon impregnated kevlar fiber. ( Knock it off Lovett! )  When the feds made the gasket companies take asbestos out of the rope it made them hard to seal. Patrick's sells Best, So does Kanter and Eggie, I think. The ropes come with a spacer to leave the right amount of fiber past the bearing, a razor blade, and a stick to protect your thumb. I replaced a leaker on my 270 and it doesn't leak a drop!
"I wonder if God created man because he was disappointed in the monkey?" Mark Twain
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