Chevrolet 216 rope seal? Yes or No?

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Alex

This family of engines all seem to leak oil, if not at first then with time and miles. I have continued to use the rope type seals with reasonable to good results. Once I rebuild an engine I do go over using detergent oils. Rear main rope seal seems to work fine without leaking, but these engines engines from many different locations collective do leak more than modern engines.

As Mike points lubricating the seal before installing is important. I've always soaked them in motor oil for several days before installing.

The bigger issue I've seen is the condition of the bearing surface it needs to perfect. If the crank seal surface has any imperfections have it resurfaced/ground, or use a speedisleeve. I have had very good luck with this approach.

Would offer another comment that these engines need to run regularly and I mean driven for an hour plus. My HUP still had its original seal in 2011 I had been driving since 1978. It would leak from the rear main each spring until it had been given a good long drive.

Long winded way of saying use the rope seal fine just get out there and drive it regularly.

Cheers Phil