So Cal V8
Active Member
I have an important question to pose to you all regarding the rear main seal.
The engine from my 1970 NADA 3500S has had a great deal of machine work done to it over the last few years - decked, bored, balanced, heads flowed, custom aluminium forged pistons and rings from Venolia, etc. etc.
But, one thing that just never occurred to me was the rear main seal, at least that is, it didn't occur to me until now. I had always assumed that when it came time I could just replace the rope seal with the improved (?) neoprene seal. However, my understanding is that the neoprene seal is not a "direct" replacement and that my block would have to be machined to accept the new seal - I could be wrong though.
To add to my confusion I have just been on the phone with Mark at D&D Fabrications and he has told me that the crank on my engine is designed to work with the rope seal and it's a PITA to get the neoprene seal combo working - not to mention the cost of the machine work. He says his preference is to use the rope seal as when properly installed they are just fine and dandy. His actual explanation was more detailed, but also slightly above my head.
I had sort of set my mind on the neoprene seal - obviously newer so therefore better and less leak prone. My engine builder guy is also more of a neoprene seal fan. So what to do?
The engine is out and in pieces, so absent the cost, it's the perfect time to get the work done. I had a pretty crappy experience with the machine shop - the work is excellent, but the customer service leaves something to be desired. They were given a strict budget and told that was all the work they were to do - they took it upon themselves to do whatever work they wanted and the bill ended up being more than triple the budget. The machine shop in question can be seen on one of the California based episodes of Wheeler Dealers, where lovable cokerney car-salesman Mike is given a tour - I am sure my engine was still gathering dust on the shelf when he went there. Anyway, I digress.
So...
Is the neoprene better than the rope?
Is there a direct replacement that doesn't require machine work?
Is there an issue with the crank/seal inter-workings?
I would hate to pass up the chance to get the neoprene seal if it is, in fact, the way to go. I just am not sure what to do.
Sincerely,
Confused
Answers on a postcard please.
The engine from my 1970 NADA 3500S has had a great deal of machine work done to it over the last few years - decked, bored, balanced, heads flowed, custom aluminium forged pistons and rings from Venolia, etc. etc.
But, one thing that just never occurred to me was the rear main seal, at least that is, it didn't occur to me until now. I had always assumed that when it came time I could just replace the rope seal with the improved (?) neoprene seal. However, my understanding is that the neoprene seal is not a "direct" replacement and that my block would have to be machined to accept the new seal - I could be wrong though.
To add to my confusion I have just been on the phone with Mark at D&D Fabrications and he has told me that the crank on my engine is designed to work with the rope seal and it's a PITA to get the neoprene seal combo working - not to mention the cost of the machine work. He says his preference is to use the rope seal as when properly installed they are just fine and dandy. His actual explanation was more detailed, but also slightly above my head.
I had sort of set my mind on the neoprene seal - obviously newer so therefore better and less leak prone. My engine builder guy is also more of a neoprene seal fan. So what to do?
The engine is out and in pieces, so absent the cost, it's the perfect time to get the work done. I had a pretty crappy experience with the machine shop - the work is excellent, but the customer service leaves something to be desired. They were given a strict budget and told that was all the work they were to do - they took it upon themselves to do whatever work they wanted and the bill ended up being more than triple the budget. The machine shop in question can be seen on one of the California based episodes of Wheeler Dealers, where lovable cokerney car-salesman Mike is given a tour - I am sure my engine was still gathering dust on the shelf when he went there. Anyway, I digress.
So...
Is the neoprene better than the rope?
Is there a direct replacement that doesn't require machine work?
Is there an issue with the crank/seal inter-workings?
I would hate to pass up the chance to get the neoprene seal if it is, in fact, the way to go. I just am not sure what to do.
Sincerely,
Confused
Answers on a postcard please.