Hi, just putting my flathead motor back together, purchased a Felpro gasket set for it. Just installed the sump with the white rope type seal for the front crankshaft seal. Have bolted the sump down but looks like the seal that pushes into the sump recess is not even touching the crankshaft, there seems to be a gap. I haven't installed the other half of the seal in the front cover to see if that's the same. Anyone else had this problem or am I missing something. Thanks in advance for any advice or help. Cheers Mike.
How are you trimming the ends? Lay them in the groove and squeeze them down as much as you can. Then take a socket or any round bar type piece and rub the seal down so the seal surface is flat. Trim the ends so it leaves a little sticking up. 1/16" will do it. Same process, front and back, top and bottom. Same little bit sticking up on the ends, 1/16" or less as long as there is enough to make good contact under a bit of pressure when assembled. These rope seals are very hard to cut, so be careful not to destroy it in the process or scratch something you shouldn't. Put a small dab of gasket cement on the ends before putting the cap on. The top seals must be installed and finished before the crankshaft is put in place. Put the caps on and torque to specs. Remove the caps and clean off any rope particles that squeezed out between the mating surfaces. Install and retorque the cap bolts. If done properly and carefully, these seals will last a very long time. Soak the ropes in oil before you start. All this may not cover all years and models of flathead engines. More info is needed and pictures would be a great help.
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