Have just received our freshly rebuilt 283 or now 301 from the machine shop. We are having trouble with the rear main crankshaft seal. The one supplied in the rebuild kit seems to be too large and tall for the block. It will not sit flush with the block as it’s supposed to. I believe the block to be a 1959, so is it supposed to have the rope type seal or a special shorter rubber seal for the early blocks. If so what are the part numbers? Thanks, TR The block can be seen without the seal installed here. This is how the supplied seal sits after installation.
that is the early 59 block that takes a rope seal. Some times you can find a rubber replacement for it, which is easier than the rope type. to install. The seal you have will NOT work on that block! https://www.ebay.com/itm/323468818285?
PCV systems help them from leaking. Try to find an old NOS with asbestos. Best sells the better ones today.
Best Gasket has a rubber rear main seal for 1955 - early 1959 blocks that replaces the original rope rear main seals. Technical - 58 283 rear main seal question | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com) Chevy 265 283 V8 RUBBER Rear Main Bearing Seal Set BEST 1955 1956 1957 1958 USA | eBay
He just sat it up there for the pic reference . The actual correct sealing surface is a male register for the lip seal,,,,,a female register for a rope seal . Tommy
here's what the cap and block look like that use that seal. As he said, it has a male register for the seal, not the slot that is on the early block that we're talking about.
The Jalopy Journal
