The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rope main seal replacement

I have a few early V8's (265 and 283). Whe I search for a replacement rear main seal, I am a little confused. I see some of the classic part dealers mention the replacement for the rope seal mad out of neoprene ($27 to $35). Then I see on my gasket set that it is good for years 1955 to 1967 with only one seal in it. Is there a specific seal to use when switching from rope to neoprene? Or is this just an opportunity to sell the same common seal with a high price?

I put a neoprene seal in my 235 some years back. No big problem. It had a neoprene seal already so I don't know if it ever had a rope seal.

Well all of the SBC's had rope seals in them back then. Whether it got swapped out before is obvious. Did you just use the same seal that was in the kit?

builder, my kit came with the neoprene. I used it on the 235 for a 59, about 2 years ago. So far ok

I appreciate the response. I agree that the neoprene seal is the way to go. Both of you that responded are talking about 235's. Can you confirm that the V8 gasket kit neoprene main bearing seal work with a 1958 283?

Sorry, I can not confirm that.

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.

I wonder why the v8 gasket kits don't include the rope seal,the six cylinder kits do ? A lot of the auto parts stores don't have books.I know mine always has to call the warehouse for older parts.How hard can it be to add the old parts to the computer catalog ?