rear main seal leaking

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by alini, Feb 22, 2016.

  1. alini

    alini Member

    I rebuilt my engine about two years ago. I primed the oil pump before dropping in the distributor on Saturday and found my rear main leaking. Luckily I havent finished with the coolant system yet or fuel so getting the engine out was quick.

    I just dropped the pan and pulled the cap. After closer inspection it looks like the rope seal is barely touching the lip on the rear journal. Is it possible I had the wrong rope seal...are there different sizes? Did it shrink, or could I have possibly compressed it too much when I assembled it.

    I would like to get a sense of where I went wrong the first time so I dont screw it up again.
     
  2. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Install a new style seal. I have them in stock, with directions & sealer.


    Tom T.
     
  3. alini

    alini Member

    Tom, I just checked the service manual and Im a complete flippin idiot. we had the seal installed the wrong cap. There is the groove just behind the bearing where the 'splash flange' is. We thought the seal rode along that to seal it. I already have a new rope seal and the sneaky pete getting overnighted.

    Whats the 'new style seal'?? will it be easier to install with the crank in, if it can be?? How much?? How fast can you get it to me??
     
  4. alini

    alini Member

    Tom if you have a link to a website or something I will place the order as soon as I see it Spent the night reading up on the seal. Wish I had seen it before I put it together the first time. And can I rush shipment I will pay to overnight it if I can. Want to be able to put this back together this weekend
     
  5. JZRIV

    JZRIV Platinum Level Contributor

    Its best to give Tom a call. He may not check back in here for awhile as he is always busy in the shop, plus it will be worth your while to talk to him in person.
     
  6. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

  7. gsgtx

    gsgtx Silver Level contributor

  8. Buick 72

    Buick 72 Well-Known Member

  9. alini

    alini Member

    I ordered the viton seal from bop. Wish I had found out about them when I was building but sometimes you learn things the harder way
     
  10. gsgtx

    gsgtx Silver Level contributor

    TA-performance has the same seal as BOP, and only half the price. i will say it again nothing different or special about BOP its over the counter made by fel-pro. i got one from BOP thinking it was better and was the same i got from Carmen and TA. they finally told me on the phone there not special for the nailhead. sorry u got taken like i did.
     
  11. gsgtx

    gsgtx Silver Level contributor

    when you get the seal it will have bs-130442 which is a fel pro #. nailhead seals are the same as a 455 buick and a 3.8 v6 buick.
     
  12. alini

    alini Member

    bs-130442 is the rope seal....we are talking about the one above it on the page. Its a rubber based material
     
  13. gsgtx

    gsgtx Silver Level contributor

    sorry wrong #. i will get my seals and give u the right numbers off the seal. might be bs40032 same as a ford 460ci. here is one made by best 3A295 check that out for the heck of it. it is on ebay.
     
  14. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    That seal # is for the front seal. Like I said "I have them in stock along with directions & the sealer I use". PM me an address & I'll get it out to you in the am & worry about payment later.


    Tom T.
     
  15. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    It is MUCH easier to install than a rope seal & less likely to leak if the directions are followed.

    Give me a call. I'll be up until around 10pm EST.


    Tom T.
     
  16. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    That BOP seal you ordered is for the 400/430/455 engines. They have a main crank diameter of 3.25" as opposed to the "Nail" of 2.5".
     
  17. alini

    alini Member

    I got their seal today, it fit in the main cap perfectly and I was able to install it in the block with only two revolutions of the crank as I pushed on it. It was the correct diameter, I appreciate you pointing them out to me, it was alot easier than a rope seal replacement.

    I ordered the RMS07, listed for the nailhead.....was a perfect fit.
     

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