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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8
Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8 |
My 48 is leaking out the rear main seal[I think]. Can a new seal be installed while the engine is in the car? If so, what is best seal to use, rope type or newer rubber? Thanks in advance for MORE GOOD INFO.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
The "rubber" type seal is for the 1955-62 only. The seal grove is too wide and deep for it to work in the older engines.
The graphite seal (rope type) sold by either Chevs of the 40's or the Filling Station is what I would use. There are several tricks to installing the upper half, the main thing is to remember it but be packed very tight to not leak. Just pulling it through is not enough.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 570
Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 570 |
If you change it while the motor is in the car, carefull not to drop the little shims that were between the main cap and the line bore. Now would be an excellent time to clean the screen on your oil pickup in the pan, and scrape that clean also...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 89
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 89 |
I had the same problem with my 1947 sedan. I changed the seal twice and it still leaked. I don`t remember what the gentelmans name was from the VCCA but he said to find an NOS rope seal.I found one and no leaks . The NOS seal is bigger than the ones they sell today. I think sometimes older is better. I also had one of those old time rope seal pullers.I think someone still seal them. good luck.
mark47
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 279
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 279 |
I tried aftermarket rope seals, and they didn't hold. I bought an nos rope seal and it worked!
47 Aerosedan
41 Cabriolet
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
The modern replacement seals are junk. They seem to tear at the surface. I have found some GM NOS on Ebay. Saving them for future use. I believe that I posted the warning a while back. Have heard the same from some engine rebuilders also.
Gene Schneider
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