I have about 4 choices of rear main seals to buy for a272 engine. 2 fel pro numbers a best gasket seal or a victor seal which one.

The seals I looked at are victor JV748
BEST 1954-64
Fel-Pro BS6141
Fel-Pro BS10

For the 292 engines, the majority of my Y builds use the Best Gasket neoprene seals that come in their full gasket sets. In those instances where I’m not doing a complete rebuild or simply need an individually packaged neoprene seal for a 272/292 Y engine, then I’ll use the Fel-Pro seal BS6141. Be sure to examine the seals very closely as any voids or pin holes in the seal material that happens during their manufacture will cause an early leak or failure. Here’s a picture of a new seal that was defective out of the box.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Is there a difference between the best gasket seal and the Fel-Pro seal BS6141

I’ll say No. They both look the same and I’ve had the same good results with each. The Fel-Pro seal is simply easier to buy by itself on my end when I don’t need a full set of gaskets.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Hi Ted! Whats your opinion on filling the side seal area with "The Right Stuff" sealer as opposed to just using the supplied side seals with the "nails"?This "repair" was suggested in the other topic regarding rear seal leaks.

  

While I haven’t needed to forfeit the use of the rubber side seals and nails on either the Y or FE engines, I don’t see a problem with using RTV in the slots assuming that both of the slots can be successfully filled with the sealant. The key here is getting the RTV to the far end of the slots to insure there is not a void there in which oil can pass through to the back of the engine. I do put a small amount of RTV in each hole before starting the rubber seals in place and this RTV essentially helps to thoroughly seal the far end of the slot when the rubber seals are completely pushed in place.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted! In your experience where are most of the leaks in the rear main-the actual crank seals or the side seals? One thing I have never seen mentioned in these discussions about rear main seals-is it a good idea to offset the ends of the seals so they don't line up with the parting lines of the retainer?Seems like this is recommended for many Fords with the 2 piece rear main seal.I realize that this would only work when replacing the seal with the motor in the car when using the neoprene type seal.

  

Its not a very good idea?? explain that one more Mark. I got confused? Ted offsets, makes sense and easier to do on and engine stand, when under the car near impossible.



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Rather than having the ends of the seals line up with the ends of the caps you turn the seal enough that one end sticks out and the other is below the end of the caps.When you do both halves the ends still meet but not at the same "line" that the caps are.