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Good evening and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Was searching the forum for posts/replies regarding replacing rear main seals. Found a thread regarding using a FelPro neoprene seal on a V8, I believe. I’m wondering if anyone has any info/experience regarding use of a neoprene alternate for the old rope seal on 1954’s 359CID.

Thanks!

Hello 54ocmac. I have been up this path. I have installed rope seals before in various engines including my Packard 8, and all work fine except one, a 351 Cleveland. This has a smaller than usual seal groove and would not fit the rope. About 10 years ago now I got a neoprene seal for it, this was 2 piece, it solved the problem. You should be able to get your old rope seal out without dropping the crank. With a 2 piece seal use some sort of hydraulic sealant on all the seal to groove surfaces. I used some Loctite 515 I think from memory. If there is a spike in the groove in the block (hopefully not) or rear mains cap, this is to stop the rope seal turning, this has to come out. The faces of the seal halves where they meet need sealant, and lastly remember to stagger the seal halves. Not level, but rotated about 30 deg relative to the block/cap surface. Also sealant between the block and rear mains cap.
Hope this helps.
Gary

I don't know of a neoprene seal that fits. I replaced mine with a graphite seal.
I made a funnel type Tool that helped me pull in the new seal.
my Blog p 38

It looks like a neoprene seal from a Chrysler Slant 6 (which is the same as the seal for a 440 big block) would work in a 327 Straight 8, and hence presumably also a 359, but I did the rope seal on my engine because it came in the rebuild kit and I had the engine out in any case. Seemed safest. Might consider it if I had to replace it out of the car.

More info in this thread:

Oil Leak Rear Main Seal

I wish I would of known about the 30 degrees.

Used a coat hanger wire on cap.

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Good morning and thanks EVERYONE for the replies! Will review all the options with my mechanic and advise the outcome!

Mark

I have never heard of offsetting the rope seal 30 degrees.....

Quote:

I believe the gentleman was referring to what you would do with a 2-piece neoprene seal.

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R.H. - Were you able to use a neoprene seal? Or did you use a rope seal?

Jerome.

Yes

R.H. - Oh yes, now I see (earlier I was looking at those pictures on my phone and couldn't see the wire, now I opened it up on my laptop and can see things clearly), you used the coat hanger wire as the shim for the neoprene seal. Thank you! That was the Chrysler Slant 6/440 seal? How has it worked for you so far?