The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 54 235 rear seal

I have a 54 Chevy Belaire in France. My problem is my leaking rear main bearing seal.(split seal). I was told there are no seals available and that I must use a newer seal from 55-62 engine which is a different size. The crankshaft must be machined down to fit the newer seal. My question is what size do I cut the crankshaft to fit the newer seal?

Don't listen to who ever told you that.
1940-62 used the same seal.
1956-62 engines can have the rope seal replaced with a two piece neoprene seal.
There is a one piece seal conversion but that takes machining the block.
I would recommend using a Best Gasket brand rope seal for your 54.

What Dave Says

Like to jump in here. Are these rear main seals available at NAPA, or where should I look for one. I assume there is a front seal also. I have a 54 235 that is leaking, I think it the pan gasket, but thought I may as well replace the rear main seal. How tuff is this?

awk

You can use the one piece seal from the 88 and newer 350's. The mains would need to be line bored and the block machined for it.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/1766/Old_Iron_Sealing_Stovebolt_Chevy_Engines.aspx

This is the rear seal I would use in a 1954
The front seal should be available at most parts stores.

Pre'68 Dave,
Thanks. So that yellow thing is a tool? The front should be easy that just the timing cover seal, right. I'm new to the 235 6 cyl.

awk

The yellow thing is a razor knife and the brown thing is a guide for cutting the ends correctly.
The only thing the kit tells you to do that I don't is to drill the cap and pin it so the seal does not move. I don't like that idea.
The front seal leak could be more from a worn seal surface on the balancer. They sell a speedi-sleeve to cover the worn area. It is the same as small blocks so most parts stores have them in stock.
The front seal is a standard lip seal.
I see a lot of leaking blamed on front seals when it turns out to be the fuel pump. There are two places fuel pumps leak. They can leak from a loose pivot shaft or more commonly someone used lock washers on the bolts. The oil then wicks out the threads and through the split in the washer. This can leak a lot of oil.

Thanks a bunch Dave. I'll look at that tonight.

dave
do you recommend NOT using lock washers on the fuel pump?
without them might they protrude into the block far enough to hit a cam lobe?

rolf

Being the pump is aluminum I always use flat washers to keep the bolt heads from digging in.