56, 312, rear main seal replacement

[goldwinghg]

I have put it off long enough. I am going to have to replace my rear main seal. I am going to try to do it,without pulling the engine. Any suggestions,on doing it,and the type of seal,I should use. I have read,that the seal kits,that Casco,has,is the best out there. Any comments?

Thanks,for any comments,you can give,both good,and bad.

[1957Birdman]

Check out Gil's Garage on the CTCI website. There are two good articles on replacing the rear main seal on the 312 V8. It is definitely easier to do the replacement with the engine out of the car and on an engine stand.
Good luck with the repair,
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White

[goldwinghg]

I need alittle help with which rear main seal material works the best.

I see some people use the neoprene,and some say the rope packing. I just want to do this once. Which material is most people doing with the best results.

Welcome all comments, and suggestions!

[1957Birdman]

Hi Goldwinghg,
I will point you again to the two articles in Gil's Garage. Unless you can find an NOS rope seal any of the newer ones you might try will leak (the new ones don't have asbestos). Neoprene is the way to go. I have a friend that replaced his six years ago (57 312) with neoprene and has not had any leaks since. You need to use the one identified in these articles.

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/rearsealnotes.php

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/Neoprene.php

Regards,
Lew Bachman

1957 Colonial White

[DWarren]

I was in exactly the same position and tried to get the old rope seal out without pulling the engine. No luck, it simply could not be coerced to come out, only bits and pieces. Others may have had better luck, but from my experience, do the job right and pull the engine. In my case the main and rod bearings were also in the later stage of their life so the crank got ground as well. I also think your success rate, ie: no leaks will be higher with the neoprene conventional style seal.

[jamit793]

Check out Best Gasket Company and then check out https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0810sr- ... eId=380346 for great directions on how to do it.