Rear Main Seals

[fredeuce]

I have purchased a Fel Pro rebuild gasket set and it contains both the rope style rear main seal and the newer black graphite seals. This is to suit an 8BA.

Not having experienced the black seals before and there being no instructions about them I soaked the black seals in oil in the same way as you do the traditional rope seal.

I have now read that you don't need to soak this type of seal .

I am only part way through the rebuild where I have installed the crank but nothing else.

Should I press on and leave the black seal in place or should I fit the rope seal?

Any views or comments ?

[Ronnieroadster]

Having soaked the graphite seals in oil should not be a problem. However the graphite seals will move in the mount since they are so slippery. Did the Fel Pro set include the small dowel pin with the graphite seals? If so its important to add this pin into the center of the aluminum seal mount. The pin which pierces into the outer surface of the seal helps keep the seal from moving.
Ronnieroadster

[Bored&Stroked]

As Ronnie noted, when you buy a gasket set from BestGasket, they include a little "kit" with the roll-pin that Ronnie mentioned. It has instructions on how to drill the aluminum seal plate . . . just make sure you do this!

[Crankster]

FWIW I have read that the rope type crank seals were originally impregnated with asbestos, and the modern rope seals are not. Some engine builders claim these new rope seals do not give satisfactory service.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by Crankster

FWIW I have read that the rope type crank seals were originally impregnated with asbestos, and the modern rope seals are not. Some engine builders claim these new rope seals do not give satisfactory service.

The modern rope type seals in todays gasket sets for the Ford flathead are actually graphite impregnated. They are much better than the old seals and give very good service. Even at horse power and RPM ranges never imagined from a Ford flathead I know from experience this to be true.
Ronnieroadster

[Crankster]

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That is good to hear, because rope seal install is kind of a pain in the you know what, at best!

[richard crow]

if you don,t want to do the seal again in 6 months get an old stock seal. those winpey ones don,t last.every rebuilt eng rear seal job we get has those seals/ if you don,t want a come back get a n.o.s orignal or old stock victor

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by richard crow

if you don,t want to do the seal again in 6 months get an old stock seal. those winpey ones don,t last.every rebuilt eng rear seal job we get has those seals/ if you don,t want a come back get a n.o.s orignal or old stock victor

That's odd we never ever had a return due to the better graphite rear seals.
Maybe were doing it right?

[cadillac512]

The 8CM in my '41 Merc has the new style graphite seals and the properly installed roll pin. After 11,000 miles in the last 18 months it still hasn't dripped on the garage floor.

[fredeuce]

I have looked through the gasket set but can not see any roll pin .

Does anyone have any pictures of how this is done?

I was thinking of fitting some small screws to the sump where the other half of the seal is located and driving them into the seal to capture that portion to prevent rotation.

Any thoughts on that idea?

[cadillac512]

The good seals are "Best" brand and are supplied with a roll pin and instructions. FelPro may not use the same material or supply a pin.

[flatjack9]

Fel Pro does not have a pin, but I have not found it to be a problem.