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H. L. Chauvin · 08-20-2013, 12:31 PM

Hi 51,

Never, ever, had a front of engine original rope seal leak.

Also, never soaked the rope seal in oil as recommended by Model A parts vendors to make it "swell" so it can later "shrink" when the excess oil "evaporates" & dries out later.

Always installed rope seals totally "dry", with a heavy coat of axle grease on contacting surfaces, & install with non-hardening "Permatex" No. 2 between the metal surface & bottom of the rope.

After installing the rope while "dry", the rope begins to "swell" when the engine oil wicks in after start-up, thus forming a uniformly "tight" seal.

The grease coating helps to lubricate, seal, & shape the rope seal only on initial start up.

Cannot imagine why so many Model A owners have so many recurring front seal leaks.

Agree with Mr. columbiaA -- would never try anything other than an original type rope seal.

08-20-2013, 12:31 PM	#4
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Replacing front oil seal Hi 51, Never, ever, had a front of engine original rope seal leak. Also, never soaked the rope seal in oil as recommended by Model A parts vendors to make it "swell" so it can later "shrink" when the excess oil "evaporates" & dries out later. Always installed rope seals totally "dry", with a heavy coat of axle grease on contacting surfaces, & install with non-hardening "Permatex" No. 2 between the metal surface & bottom of the rope. After installing the rope while "dry", the rope begins to "swell" when the engine oil wicks in after start-up, thus forming a uniformly "tight" seal. The grease coating helps to lubricate, seal, & shape the rope seal only on initial start up. Cannot imagine why so many Model A owners have so many recurring front seal leaks. Agree with Mr. columbiaA -- would never try anything other than an original type rope seal.