Hello guys,

I finally joined after several years of lurking. I have had

y blocks off and on since the sixties, but I have never used

neoprene seals. How are they? Are they any advantage over

braidsed? I woule appreciate any advice.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

First let me welcome you to the site. I like the neoprene seals, no more cutting and fitting the rope. The engine guru's will give you more imput, but I love them.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

And another welcome to the site.

 

My vote is for neoprene.  The Y is not as simple as one would believe in eliminating oil leaks at the back of the engine.  On the rope seals, a little leakage from the seal itself beginning at the initial install until the seal swells up with oil is normal.  Engines that aren’t driven very often will also have a tendency for leakage with the rope seals.  On the flip side, the seal surface on the crankshaft must be in good condition for a neoprene seal to do its job.  Here’s a link giving detailed instructions on installing neoprene seals.

Neoprene seal installation tips

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I helped a guy put one of the neoprene seals in his 57 TBird, which was a real leaker. It dried everything up and is holding .



The guy who built my 312 in my 54 used a neoprene seal in the rebuild about three years ago. No leaks from this area. Wish I could say the same for the valley cover.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Ted! Thanks for showing that info on rear main seal installation.I am going to be using the Best rear seal on my rebuild and your information will certainly help to install it properly and avoid leaks especially sealing those pan bolts which I never would have thought about.Without a doubt you are one of the most knowledgeable Y guys in the world.I have a tip for anyone looking to replace the rope type seal on the car and cant get the upper half out of the block.If you screw a sheetmetal screw into the end of the seal it will give a grip for vicegrips.Have someone turn the motor over by hand and pull on the seal at the same time.It should come right out.How about some tips on sealing the valley cover as Paul has mentioned?

  

thanks a lot,everybody. I usually have always had a bit

of seepage at the crank seal,but figured it was pretty much

normal. Had one in a 55 merc that poured,but rebuilt the

engine and the new stuff held pretty well. I had'nt ever

heard of neoprene seals for Ys at that time(1965). I  will

give them a try next time. thanks again.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

Just for your information, Best Gasket has a new type of rope seal made out of some other material than the old type. Saw it in a article in Street Rodder.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Mark: thanks for the upper seal removal tip. However, nearly all the info posted here about seal replacement is about doing it on the "bench," not in chassis. Despite it being obviously more difficult, do you have any advice on reinstalling an upper seal, neoprene or rope type, in the car? Thanks

Paul

Paul2748,



Hey I also had a problem with my valley cover leaking. It was an older style composition gasket. I replaced it with a new neoprene gasket, and it sealed much better this time. Not sure which you have, but it was definitely worth replacing for me.

My name is Greg and I am addicted to Y's.

Greg, looks like you have your valley leak fixed! but it is worth the time to place a straight edge along the sealing edges and check for straightness, as usually the corners are bent up and hence cannot seal properly, the oil filler corner allways is bent the worst due to the oil cap being banged down hard and strangled to remove and the tube allways catches on things when engine is being moved etc. I have years back drilled and tapped the 4 corners and fitted small bolts, but good straight edges should seal properly. best regards bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia