The Ford Barn

talwrench · 03-30-2015, 02:52 PM

Searched numerous, threads but did not find any help on how to trim the gasket for the front main seal. Do u trim flush with the pan?? I did force it in the grouve with a piece of round stock. have about 3/16" overhang each end.

aermotor · 03-30-2015, 03:54 PM

1/16" proud on each side.

John

talwrench · 03-30-2015, 05:30 PM

Thanks, AERMOTOR

James Rogers · 03-30-2015, 06:19 PM

I don't trim it at all. Just leave it the way it comes out and pull the pan down. If you take the pan off 6 months from the install date doing it this way you will find the ends fit fine.

CarlG · 03-30-2015, 06:25 PM

I don't trim mine.

aermotor · 03-30-2015, 06:27 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I went by an article by Frank Rosin, The Restorer - Mar/Apr 2002 article that I found somewhere. Title: Leakless Pan Gasket. Haven't run engine yet so who knows?

John

Tom Wesenberg · 03-30-2015, 08:00 PM

I've had to trim most of the rope seals I use. I use a sharp razor blade and just keep moving back and forth like a saw. First I form the seal to the pan by using a large socket, then leave enough seal to allow for the thickness of the gasket plus about 1/8" to 3/16". Grease the seal well befor installing the pan.

Mike V. Florida · 03-30-2015, 10:50 PM

Did not trim ours.

hardtimes · 03-31-2015, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talwrench

Searched numerous, threads but did not find any help on how to trim the gasket for the front main seal. Do u trim flush with the pan?? I did force it in the grouve with a piece of round stock. have about 3/16" overhang each end.

If you look into some of the part supplier catalogues , they advise...DO NOT trim this seal stock.

larrys40 · 03-31-2015, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've had to trim most of the rope seals I use. I use a sharp razor blade and just keep moving back and forth like a saw. First I form the seal to the pan by using a large socket, then leave enough seal to allow for the thickness of the gasket plus about 1/8" to 3/16". Grease the seal well befor installing the pan.

I have done exactly as Tom has described and have not seemed to have any issues, however, james has done more than all of us and I'm sure it will squish down. There's probably a point of the perfect amount of mass to seal it vs/too much. Seems like the new ropes squish a little more than they use to.
Larry

colin1928 · 03-31-2015, 02:33 AM

My experience is it will depend on which gasket kit you have
I install mine with a dolly to compress them into the grove as much as possible so finish proud the correct amount 1/8-3/16 but some need a slight trim

Mike V. Florida · 03-31-2015, 02:33 AM

As we can see here by the responses from respected Model A guys; trim, no trim, and in other past threads, soak, no soak, it makes no real difference in the end result.

We know it makes no difference because we have had our successes using either method

talwrench · 03-31-2015, 11:22 AM

Thanks to everyone who responded. And there very usefull tips. I installed the pan this morning. Used a piece of round stock the correct size and a hammer to seat the rope in the pan, did not trim. Its was proud about 3/16" on both sides. grease it up real good, went right on real smooth. used 4 pilot bolts in the corners to drawn the pan tight, removed and replaced after all others were tight. My first work on and "A"!!

I am a new "A" owner, and decided to drop the pan and clean the sludge, not as much as i was expecting. Then checked and adjusted rod and main clearance. Should be ready to run this afternoon!!! THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THAT RESPONDED!! Tim

03-30-2015, 02:52 PM	#1
talwrench Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Quakertown, PA Posts: 73	Front oil seal in pan Searched numerous, threads but did not find any help on how to trim the gasket for the front main seal. Do u trim flush with the pan?? I did force it in the grouve with a piece of round stock. have about 3/16" overhang each end.

03-30-2015, 03:54 PM	#2
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Front oil seal in pan 1/16" proud on each side. John

03-30-2015, 05:30 PM	#3
talwrench Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Quakertown, PA Posts: 73	Re: Front oil seal in pan Thanks, AERMOTOR

03-30-2015, 06:19 PM	#4
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Front oil seal in pan I don't trim it at all. Just leave it the way it comes out and pull the pan down. If you take the pan off 6 months from the install date doing it this way you will find the ends fit fine. __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

03-30-2015, 06:25 PM	#5
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Front oil seal in pan I don't trim mine. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-30-2015, 06:27 PM	#6
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Front oil seal in pan Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I went by an article by Frank Rosin, The Restorer - Mar/Apr 2002 article that I found somewhere. Title: Leakless Pan Gasket. Haven't run engine yet so who knows? John

03-30-2015, 08:00 PM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Front oil seal in pan I've had to trim most of the rope seals I use. I use a sharp razor blade and just keep moving back and forth like a saw. First I form the seal to the pan by using a large socket, then leave enough seal to allow for the thickness of the gasket plus about 1/8" to 3/16". Grease the seal well befor installing the pan.

03-30-2015, 10:50 PM	#8
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Front oil seal in pan Did not trim ours. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-31-2015, 02:33 AM	#11
colin1928 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australa Melbourne Posts: 878	Re: Front oil seal in pan My experience is it will depend on which gasket kit you have I install mine with a dolly to compress them into the grove as much as possible so finish proud the correct amount 1/8-3/16 but some need a slight trim

03-31-2015, 02:33 AM	#12
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Front oil seal in pan As we can see here by the responses from respected Model A guys; trim, no trim, and in other past threads, soak, no soak, it makes no real difference in the end result. We know it makes no difference because we have had our successes using either method __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-31-2015, 11:22 AM	#13
talwrench Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Quakertown, PA Posts: 73	Re: Front oil seal in pan Thanks to everyone who responded. And there very usefull tips. I installed the pan this morning. Used a piece of round stock the correct size and a hammer to seat the rope in the pan, did not trim. Its was proud about 3/16" on both sides. grease it up real good, went right on real smooth. used 4 pilot bolts in the corners to drawn the pan tight, removed and replaced after all others were tight. My first work on and "A"!! I am a new "A" owner, and decided to drop the pan and clean the sludge, not as much as i was expecting. Then checked and adjusted rod and main clearance. Should be ready to run this afternoon!!! THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THAT RESPONDED!! Tim