The Ford Barn

PC/SR · 08-01-2015, 01:27 AM

For a long time I have used the standard rope type seal on the front timing cover to seal the crank. I have always had to pry the timing cover down onto the crank snout with a drift. No Problem. Lately, the last two times, that rope seal has just slided in with no pressure on the crank snout at all. I have tried it both soaked in oil and not. Anyway I do not get a tight seal between the crank snout and the seal. I get an oil leak. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks.

PC/SR · 08-01-2015, 12:32 PM

Thank You. Email sent.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-01-2015, 01:46 PM

I wonder if the rope seals "swell" a little when they "soak" in some oil, when running???
Bill W.

PC/SR · 08-01-2015, 02:43 PM

I mis-fitted the piece, a stupid mistake on my part. All is well. Getting old is tough sometimes.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-01-2015, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC/SR

I mis-fitted the piece, a stupid mistake on my part. All is well. Getting old is tough sometimes.

Yes, PC,
Getting old is a BITCH, we have to adapt, & be happy for the things we CAN DO. That's why I post here, to hopefully help someone & to hopefully make someone LAFF!
Bill W.

PC/SR · 08-01-2015, 07:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

And we all love ya for it Bill. Carry on the good work.

glenn in camino · 08-02-2015, 07:53 PM

I keep my rope and cork seals in a jar of oil so they'll be ready when I need them.

Indiana A. Lover · 08-02-2015, 10:27 PM

Glenn That is Good thinking. I am getting ready to put gaskets in my 31 so I shall follow your Expert advice, Thank you Don in Indiana

katy · 08-03-2015, 11:17 AM

Quote:

I keep my rope and cork seals in a jar of oil so they'll be ready when I need them.

Does the cork swell up when soaked in oil? The reason I ask is that I know that cork SWELLS UP when soaked in water.

Bob Bidonde · 08-03-2015, 12:08 PM

When oil soaked, the seal becomes more pliable, so squeeze-up pressure on the crankshaft is reduced.

duke36 · 08-12-2015, 11:46 PM

Before reading the other posts, I replaced the front pan/ timing cover seal with the teflon/rope type (came with the vendor's gasket set) soaked in oil for a week. It was sure a bear to get the timing cover bolts to line up in the block without heavy pressure. Radiator wasn't removed, etc. Pan seal was no problem even with leaving the ends long and sealant.
Still have a leak. Is there a wear-in period or am I missing something here? Lots of +10% grades in our area also for oil to run forward in the motor but don't notice as much leakage on the flat. The seal that was replaced was the "modern" 1 piece neoprene type inherited with the car and was completely worn in a couple of thousand miles. The pulley appeared smooth and stable. Also,engine has high compression head, stock blow by tube.
Should I look for the original type rope seal and start over? The pan seal is doing fine so far.

08-01-2015, 01:27 AM	#1
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Front main seal For a long time I have used the standard rope type seal on the front timing cover to seal the crank. I have always had to pry the timing cover down onto the crank snout with a drift. No Problem. Lately, the last two times, that rope seal has just slided in with no pressure on the crank snout at all. I have tried it both soaked in oil and not. Anyway I do not get a tight seal between the crank snout and the seal. I get an oil leak. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks.

08-01-2015, 12:32 PM	#2
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Front main seal Thank You. Email sent.

08-01-2015, 01:46 PM	#3
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Front main seal I wonder if the rope seals "swell" a little when they "soak" in some oil, when running??? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 08-01-2015 at 01:59 PM.

08-01-2015, 02:43 PM	#4
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Front main seal I mis-fitted the piece, a stupid mistake on my part. All is well. Getting old is tough sometimes.

08-01-2015, 07:58 PM	#6
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Front main seal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) And we all love ya for it Bill. Carry on the good work.

08-02-2015, 07:53 PM	#7
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Front main seal I keep my rope and cork seals in a jar of oil so they'll be ready when I need them.

08-02-2015, 10:27 PM	#8
Indiana A. Lover Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Brook, Indiana Posts: 214	Re: Front main seal Glenn That is Good thinking. I am getting ready to put gaskets in my 31 so I shall follow your Expert advice, Thank you Don in Indiana

08-03-2015, 12:08 PM	#10
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Front main seal When oil soaked, the seal becomes more pliable, so squeeze-up pressure on the crankshaft is reduced. __________________ Bob Bidonde

08-12-2015, 11:46 PM	#11
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Front main seal Before reading the other posts, I replaced the front pan/ timing cover seal with the teflon/rope type (came with the vendor's gasket set) soaked in oil for a week. It was sure a bear to get the timing cover bolts to line up in the block without heavy pressure. Radiator wasn't removed, etc. Pan seal was no problem even with leaving the ends long and sealant. Still have a leak. Is there a wear-in period or am I missing something here? Lots of +10% grades in our area also for oil to run forward in the motor but don't notice as much leakage on the flat. The seal that was replaced was the "modern" 1 piece neoprene type inherited with the car and was completely worn in a couple of thousand miles. The pulley appeared smooth and stable. Also,engine has high compression head, stock blow by tube. Should I look for the original type rope seal and start over? The pan seal is doing fine so far. Last edited by duke36; 08-13-2015 at 12:10 AM.