boese1978

I searched the forums but the amount of search results was a lot to sift through. 68 350, which Ford seal can we use and what mods are needed to the seal in order to insure a good seal.
Thanks

MDchanic

This ought to do it.

- Eric

boese1978

Thanks! I sure don't know how you guys keep track of all these threads and find the info so quickly!

MDchanic

I remember, more or less, everything that I post, and I post something in most threads that I find interesting, so I can usually narrow it down pretty well.

Now, if I could only remember actual conversations the way my wife can, I'd be a much happier man.

- Eric

rcrac3r

One thing to keep in mind is where the rear seal meets the crankshaft, there may be diagonal grooves in the crankshaft where the rope seal would usually ride against. Those groves will cut a rubber seal to shreds. My 72' 350 had this and I figured it would take to much grinding of the crankshaft to make the seal effective so I stayed with the rope seal.

MDchanic

Not true. Many here have installed rubber seals without dressing or grinding the grooves, with no ill effect.

- Eric

seansolds

Stayed with the rope seal? I would have stomped that thing in the ground like a fiery bag of poop.. " to each his own " lol

MDchanic

I take it your wife makes you take off your boots before you enter the house.

- Eric

seansolds

He he.. Yes she does or force me to stay in garage.. Which ain't all that bad.. Lol

coppercutlass

I used the old rope seal on the last 2 engines I built woth no issues.

seansolds

I've have bad luck with them.. Seems if i let the engine sit for a long period of time.. It loses its memory to retain shape unlike a neoprene will expand...

rcrac3r

When I did my build I had asked here about the rubber seal as well & was told then about the grooves & not to use it unless those grooves were gone.

MDchanic

We're fickle like that.

boese1978

Thx Eric....you say in the thread you linked- "I was able to push the neoprene seal into the groove without any drama"...I am test fitting mine and they pretty much just fall in to the groove, it takes no effort to get it in the main cap seal groove, same on the block, I can push it around- seems too loose ( using felpro 6141)...I realize getting the caps on and torquing all down will help, but it sure seems too loose...comments?

MDchanic

Sure. When I did mine, I did it with the crank in the block. I was able to lay the seal on top of the crank sealing surface, start its end in the groove, and then rotate it 180° into the groove with a little bit of pressure, but not much.
This should roughly correspond to your description of "no effort" with the crank not installed.
As you say, once the cap is in place, and the ends of the seal are pressing against each other, it should fit just fine.

- Eric

boese1978

Makes perfect sense, thx.