I have a 52 flathead that I having trouble stopping a leak at the rear main seal, the engine is just rebuilt and I am hoping it is not an issue with the crank surface. I have changed the rope seal 3 times and still have a leak. Any suggestions on installation procedure as obviously I am doing something wrong.

Thanks

 

Yep, replace the rope it with the newer two piece molded rubber style; I would think it must be available with a like looking, and you can slide it (lubed) in with the crank in the truck by just lossening the crank bolts.

 

I know there is a new one piece seal for the front. Sounds like a challenge to get it in with it in the truck.

 

Only if you make it one.

I was looking for a two piece on eBay (search), didn’t see one for a flaty, newer ones.

But this came up some kind of new rope type? I know nothing about this!


I still think the two piece is avilable somewhere.

 

Mac’s appears to have the super new type.

Rear Main Oil Seal - 239 Flathead - MAC's Antique Auto Parts

 

Every FelPro kit I've bought comes with both that "new" graphite and a white teflon-impregnated rope seal that is even "newer".

How bad is it leaking? You can't expect it to be totally leak free, that just isn't the way rope seals work.

Usually when a new seal leaks badly, it was cut short (not enough rope in the groove). It is really hard to get it deep enough into the groove without something like the official tool; a round piece of steel about the same diameter as the crank.

 

I believe that is my problem, probably trimmed it too much. I see some that are to be trimmed and some that are not. I will give it one more try and leave it up some.

 

I bought a gasket kit and I think it has both types of seals. I wasn't sure which ones to use.I guess the black ones are the way to go although the appear to be a bit flatter than the white ones. Do I have the right ones? I'll try to take a picture of them and post it.
The other question is, since I have the engine out and on a rotating stand, should I remove the crankshaft and replace both at the same time?
I am just concerned about getting it and the rods torqued properly.
I have been procrastinating about this for a while and would like to get the truck running again. I don't mind a small oil leak,it's a work truck for the yard and not really anywhere else.
Thanks
Bob

 

Stickid I would suggest you soak the seal in oil for a while as we have always done even though as previously mentioned it is claimed you don't have to .

 

Best Gasket's graphite rear seal is supposed to be the hot stuff. I used it on my rebuild and it's leaking... not bad, but it drips.

I don't know of any one-piece lip seal that works on the rear of a flatmotor. Replacing the part of the rope seal with the engine together (crank installed) isn't likely to be successful. It doesn't just "slip in there", it needs to be rolled in with a lot of force, then cut. Possible to nick the crank trimming it and make things worse.

 

I just did an oil pan front and rear rope seal from best gasket. The material was graphite and it just popped right in. No effort was needed. I left 1/2 of an inch on both sides just in case the crank pushed it further in the grove. Trimmed there material gasket on all four points it met the rope seal than used a couple dabs of rtv on these trimmed places to insure that the different materials sealed correctly. Hope this helps I did not change top seals just bottoms no leaks. This was a flat head 226.

 

The Best Gasket seals were highly recommended to me, so I had them used when my engine was rebuilt. They leaked like a sieve. The machinist who installed them does plenty of these engines, so I don't know what the issue could have been. But when I had to pull it apart again, I used the FelPro, and it's tight as they get. I do like the Best kit because of the "popsicle stick" they give you to trim it. I used it on the FelPro, too.

 

Well today I am finally biting the bullet. I have a small leak in the rear main. This truck sat fro 15 years and so the fly wheel must have rusted causing a chatter on take off. Today it gets a new clutch pressure plate and throw out bearing and resurfaced flywheel. New rear main and oil pan gaskets. One question I have is the clutch, I need opinions on three fingered clutch over the spring type with the many segments. I have read everyone's ideas on the rear main so I will post my success or failure later Ha Ha. I was advised to make a pan 1/2" deep to put under the motor and transmission with a 3/8 tube run from the bottom of the pan back into the tail pipe so to burn and empty the pan. This just may be my last resort as I hate a car that leaks on the driveway. I have a 1946 Ford Pickup all stock flathead V8.

 

That pan idea is just silly. No, these aren't tight as modern cars, but the losses out the RMS isn't enough to warrant that.

I'm not sure there is a diaphragm type PP for the 59-series engine. I have one on my 8BA, and really like it, but it requires the use of a different throwout bearing. Your clutch linkage may not have the correct amount of throw for a diaphragm, too. My advice would be to stick with the Long-type (3-fingered) PP, and since you are in OH, I'd really recommend getting it from Fort Wayne Clutch in IN. They do things right with quality US-made parts. Setup of the fingers is critical to smooth clutch operation, and they know how to do it right. (You should NOT adjust the fingers)