HELP! Olds guys!

[curbspeed]

Hey, Got a lil' problemo here. Thought I'd dip into the galactic knowledge bank of the HAMB and see if I could get an answer. Finished up for the most part my 29 RPU with a 1956 324 Olds motor. Got a major oil leak from the rear main seal area. Had the pan off once and added a piece of coat hanger into the upper dog turd rope seal and siliconed the hell out of anything that looked like it might be a leak point. Used half of a new seal kit on the bottom portion of the main. Put a new pan set on. Still leaks. Is there something I am overlooking here? Motor is a new rebuild. Only 55 miles on it.I was told by a fellow yesterday that there may be a modern neoprene retrofit from a 360 Dodge motor or something. Any Rocketeers heard of this solution? I can't deal with this mess any longer. Your help would be greatly appreciated.Wasn't there a rebuild recently in R&C? Did that article give any advice on the rear main seal?I didn't pick those issues up. Thank you Dale

[BigDdy31]

I'm not an Olds expert but I have had 'rebuilt' engines (from technically reputable companies) occassionally come to me with the rear seal or part of it left out. Are you sure that the top portion of the rope is there and was installed correctly? I know it's a pain in the ass and you are mostly likely trying like hell not to pull the crank but that is a possibility. It is also possible that the top portion was damaged at run-in.

I'll leave the rest of the question for the Rocketeers.

[curbspeed]

I have considered those things and some of what youy say might be possible. I am also considering that an oil gallery plug may be leaking. Will know more later when I drop the tranny and bellhousing out.

[DON_WOW]

Real common leak if you lost or forgot to install the two small cork pieces on each side of rear main cap. Check that out before you mess with rope seal .

[DON_WOW]

A rope seal properly installed works fine with no leaks, but if you have to have a split seal use a VICTOR JV604. But if you don't piss rocket fuel i'd still check out the cork on each side of rear main.

[twjoyce]

I worked with Best Gasket Co. to develope rubber, lip type rear main seals for the early Olds motors. We were able to modify existing seals to fit the 57-58 and 59-64 motors. Since there is nothing even close to fitting the 303-324's we are attempting to build a seal for them from scratch. Of couse they have to be done in another country or they would sell for $300.00 a piece and it is taking forever to get anything done. I'll post here and in all the Olds publications if we get something done. Do check for the cork blocks and then the cam and oil gallery plugs. Also deburr the very sharp edges on the rear pan radius. If you can find anyone with an NOS rear rope it will be better. The ones you buy now are made out of clothesline I think, no asbestos or lead. Not trying to pitch on the message board here but I am a dealer for Best Gasket, IM or e-mail me with your needs.

[Blownolds]

There was a factory Kent-Moore tool for tamping those rope seals in nice and even. Not sure if that really matters or not.

You can try Fusick's to see what kind of seals they have if Twjoyce can't help currently.

]If you feel you must have that tool I mentioned (unlikely), check with Bill Sawrey in Rockwood, TN. I think he goes by toolman or toolguy or something like that on eBay- just search up Kent-Moore and you'll probably find him selling.

[curbspeed]

Thanks, I'll take all this stuff into consideration. Those two cork pieces may be the problem. Are those things supposed to be used on the sides of the main cap covering a couple of small grooves ? Was gonna get after this today but got busy. Don Wow, What is that seal you mentioned for? I wish the Best Gasket company had what I need. That's the gasket set I used. I'll check the oil gallery plugs as well.

[warbird]

[ QUOTE ]
I was told by a fellow yesterday that there may be a modern neoprene retrofit from a 360 Dodge motor or something. Any Rocketeers heard of this solution?

[/ QUOTE ]

The Mopar lip-type seal (with some modifications) will fit the early Cadillac motors. But, I don't know about the Olds. Would depend upon the crank O.D., and diameter and width of the seal groove in the back of the block.

Rope seals have always been a pain in the a** and the new non-asbestos types just make matters worse. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Good luck,

[Tom Branch]

I second what everyone else said on the modern rope seals, They are JUNK! I put 2 of them in a 312 Y-block before I did my homework and got a rubber seal from Best Gasket, doesn't leak a drop now. Sounds like finding an old asbestos type rope seal would be the way to go until the rubber seal is available for the 303-324.