[lust4speed]

OK, I should have updated my progress days ago. Engine is back together with an Asbestos rope seal and working fine with no leaks. I know it was an Asbestos seal because Cliff reminded me how many razor blades I use on the Fiberglass ropes. This one cut almost as easy as the Graphite one.

I've said it a couple of times, and will repeat that I really think it was my fault for too much pre-load on the seal. Ken Crocie forwarded my problem with the pictures to Best Gasket, and they called me to discuss the seal. Very cool that a company will take the time to contact a customer about a problem. Had a good conversation with Armin and he sent a new seal out to replace the one I fubar'd up. I already had the engine back together and in the car when he called, so the seal will go on the next 455 I do in a month or so. I had planned on starting earlier, but I'm maxed out for awhile after installing headers twice in two weeks. The seal seems to require very little pressure to seal up, and does have problems if the pre-load is too high. Armin recommended that the seal be placed in the groove and really worked in with a socket or something similar so the crank won't bind up on it. My short piece of pipe turned down to 3.25" that I always used in place of working the seal with a smaller roller will need to stay on the shelf. I came away with the idea that the Graphite/Teflon rope seal shouldn't have much more resistance than turning the crank without the seal in place.