Quote:
Originally Posted by beargfr
During my last build, I tried one of the 1-piece double lip seals because it seemed like they just had to be "the answer". I followed meticulously the instructions from BOP, even the ones I got on a phone call with regard to measuring the "crush" (difference between crank diameter and seal inner diameter, sanding the outside to get the difference in spec, making sure that there wasn't any 'pucker' at the cut). I put it all together using my hoist to lower the crank into the block so I could make sure it all stayed lined up correctly, filled it with 2 gallons of oil and hung it butt down from my hoist for a week to make sure it was leak-free. It was.
In the car and running, it leaked.
Several weeks ago I pulled it again to do some other work, and this is what I found. Yes, I filled the space between the seal lips with high quality grease.
Eagle forged crank, with serrations - I didn't have it polished because I was advised "it would be ok" - and it didn't feel rough to the touch. I run main studs instead of bolts so the block was align honed for that.
This time, I'll be using the graphite rope.
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Bear, I've read (and now I see it on yours) that the aftermarket cranks have much more pronounced hash marks than the original cranks. I think the only choice here would be a Best Gasket square type rope seal. I've installed several 2 piece Viton seals (the most recent one about 8 years ago) on small journal Pontiacs, with 100% success years and many miles later on each engine. I helped a friend install a one-piece Viton in his stock '69 GTO, which was just a re-seal job and timing chain on an original 60,000 mile car, and that was about 3 years ago now and it too worked just fine. With the rope seals, the ONLY one I would use today is the Best Gasket one, as the 'factory' types have been asbestos free for the past 30-odd years and tend to leak. The old-school asbestos rope I installed in my '65 GTO in 1981 is still leak free with 50,000 miles on the engine. The new style rope seal I installed in my '67 GTO in the late '80's leaked after about 500 miles. Since re-sealing it with a 2-piece Viton, not a drop. Good luck.