The Ford Barn

midgetracer · 07-16-2021, 04:19 PM

What is the consensus on the front rope oil seal? I have used a modern seal on most of my engines, but on this engine I have had both a modern seal leak and a replacement modern seal leak. I am planning to use a rope seal this time. I picked up a pan gasket set while on vacation and the rope seals appear to be teflon coated. Do I soak them as with the old fiber ones or not. Also do I cut them or leave them full length. I was not planning to pull the engine, but only cut the old modern seal and remove it. I will probably use a different front cover and oil pan and have the seal installed before the swap.

Dkrahn · 07-16-2021, 04:29 PM

Ok, I am not sure what the majority vote is. I will probably go with the modern seal and sealant. Can this be done without pulling the engine and maybe dropping the pan down?

midgetracer · 07-16-2021, 05:31 PM

The questions I was asking is whether to soak the seal and should it be trimmed.

1crosscut · 07-16-2021, 05:57 PM

I don't soak the rope seals. I do trim them some if they are what I consider overly long. However I don't trim them overly short as having the ends compress is important.

I do smear some RTV on the sides of the seals that contact the oil pan and the timing gear cover. I also put grease on the face of the seal that contacts the crank shaft prior to assembly.

Patrick L. · 07-16-2021, 07:23 PM

I do soak rope seals and for the Model A do not trim them.

Dave in MN · 07-16-2021, 07:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

For the seals that look like they have a Teflon coating, I do not soak them in oil or trim them. I apply a light coat of Permatex #2 in the pan and front cover grooves and then tamp the seals in using a socket slightly less in diameter than the front pulley. I apply a thin coat of chassis grease on the pulley and seal surfaces. Permatex #2 on the ends of the seal that mate to the gasket and assemble.
The Teflon coated seals do not seem to absorb any oil. Grease gets the seal through the start-up. Check that the pulley is well polished to avoid damaging the seal.
Works almost all the time!
Good Day!

www.durableperformance.net

CWPASADENA · 07-16-2021, 09:37 PM

Just make sure the seal surface on the pulley is absolutely smooth and round. On new pulleys, I will make sure the surface is essentially polished and free of any machining marks.

Chris W.

redmodelt · 07-16-2021, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I do soak rope seals and for the Model A do not trim them.

Same here. I do however do some pre fitting after they are in the grooves. Nice thing about rope seals, if you need to take the timing cover off, you don't have to fight the one piece seal coming out of the groove.

PalAl · 07-16-2021, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetracer

What is the consensus on the front rope oil seal? I have used a modern seal on most of my engines, but on this engine I have had both a modern seal leak and a replacement modern seal leak. I am planning to use a rope seal this time. I picked up a pan gasket set while on vacation and the rope seals appear to be teflon coated. Do I soak them as with the old fiber ones or not. Also do I cut them or leave them full length. I was not planning to pull the engine, but only cut the old modern seal and remove it. I will probably use a different front cover and oil pan and have the seal installed before the swap.

This is a bit of overkill with information but perhaps may help....
Hope this helps and you project is leak free

katy · 07-17-2021, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I do soak rope seals and for the Model A do not trim them.

Ditto

Many, many years ago, working on flathead V-8s, my brothers and I didn't know that the rope seals needed to be soaked, so we never did it. We never had one leak either.

redmodelt · 07-17-2021, 03:12 PM

Any of the ones we have gotten from Snyder's, soak up the oil. They, too, look to be a Teflon type material.

07-16-2021, 04:19 PM	#1
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Front rope oil seal What is the consensus on the front rope oil seal? I have used a modern seal on most of my engines, but on this engine I have had both a modern seal leak and a replacement modern seal leak. I am planning to use a rope seal this time. I picked up a pan gasket set while on vacation and the rope seals appear to be teflon coated. Do I soak them as with the old fiber ones or not. Also do I cut them or leave them full length. I was not planning to pull the engine, but only cut the old modern seal and remove it. I will probably use a different front cover and oil pan and have the seal installed before the swap.

07-16-2021, 05:31 PM	#3
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Front rope oil seal The questions I was asking is whether to soak the seal and should it be trimmed.

07-16-2021, 05:57 PM	#4
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Front rope oil seal I don't soak the rope seals. I do trim them some if they are what I consider overly long. However I don't trim them overly short as having the ends compress is important. I do smear some RTV on the sides of the seals that contact the oil pan and the timing gear cover. I also put grease on the face of the seal that contacts the crank shaft prior to assembly. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

07-16-2021, 07:23 PM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Front rope oil seal I do soak rope seals and for the Model A do not trim them.

07-16-2021, 07:41 PM	#6
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Front rope oil seal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) For the seals that look like they have a Teflon coating, I do not soak them in oil or trim them. I apply a light coat of Permatex #2 in the pan and front cover grooves and then tamp the seals in using a socket slightly less in diameter than the front pulley. I apply a thin coat of chassis grease on the pulley and seal surfaces. Permatex #2 on the ends of the seal that mate to the gasket and assemble. The Teflon coated seals do not seem to absorb any oil. Grease gets the seal through the start-up. Check that the pulley is well polished to avoid damaging the seal. Works almost all the time! Good Day! www.durableperformance.net

07-16-2021, 04:29 PM	#2
Dkrahn Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Thorndale, Texas Posts: 88	Re: Front rope oil seal Ok, I am not sure what the majority vote is. I will probably go with the modern seal and sealant. Can this be done without pulling the engine and maybe dropping the pan down?

07-16-2021, 09:37 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: Front rope oil seal Just make sure the seal surface on the pulley is absolutely smooth and round. On new pulleys, I will make sure the surface is essentially polished and free of any machining marks. Chris W.

07-17-2021, 03:12 PM	#11
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Front rope oil seal Any of the ones we have gotten from Snyder's, soak up the oil. They, too, look to be a Teflon type material. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!