Best gasket has developed the following rubber rear main seals (the success rate is good, maybe 90 percent, but not perfect, because of the information mentioned):
Buick st-8 40-50 series, '34-53
Buick V-8 364-401-425, '57-66
Cadillac V-8 331-365, '49-58E
Chevrolet V-8 265-283, '55-58
Chrysler V-8 392, '57-58
Ford V-8 312, '56-57
Oldsmobile V-8 301-324, '49-56
Oldsmobile V-8 371-394, '57-58
Oldsmobile V-8 394, '59-64
In response to the rope seal frustrations present among engine builders, BESTgasket has introduced a new style of rear main seal rope called GraphTite. It's easy to trim, highly conformable, and can withstand high temperatures. BESTgasket customers have reported success stories about finally stopping those aggravating leaks. Because rope ends must be carefully trimmed to avoid fraying, each kit includes a special knife for trimming, a wood stick for trim support backing, and a spacer for trimming each rope end .030-inch proud.
Occasionally it's necessary to change a rear main seal in the car. BESTgasket does not provide specific installation instructions for in-car installation, as this is a procedure suggested only for the experienced. However, NAPA sells an Oil-Seal Remover and Installer kit, sometimes referred to as a Sneaky-Pete. This tool allows the upper rope piece to be pulled up and over the crankshaft. When purchased as a separate kit, GraphTite rope seal kits include extra length on the upper rope to assist with in-car installation.
Rear Main Seal Tips
* Make sure (rubber) seal lip facing is facing forward.
* Synthetic ropes (other than GraphTite) are very difficult to trim and can be butchered
* Synthetic rope seals (other than GraphTite) don't seal as well as the original asbestos rope seals.
* In-car rope seal installation is a lost art and requires special tools. Best performed by an old guy with experience with in-car rope seal installation.
* Use a thin coat of sealant across all cap-to-block mating surfaces.
* Rubber seals don't always fit right due to machining inconsistencies.
* GraphTite-do not soak in oil; use ATF or any startup oil on the rope surface.
* Offset the seal ends slightly (rubber rear main seals).
* Make sure the pan is straight, and do not over-tighten bolts.
Although BESTgasket does not sell retail, they are happy to answer any questions about their products. See the BESTgasket Web site for product information and a list of distributors.
Flat Out
Q.What do guys who have Model A or '32 Ford rods do about a spare tire? I have a '30 Model A coupe with a rumble seat and I have no idea where to put a spare since the original hung on the rear bumper, which I don't want to do. I have been looking through all my back issues of STREET RODDER and none of the pictures show a spare. Do guys just not carry a spare and hope they don't get a flat, or do they have a repair kit and a battery operated compressor? I thought I had a problem finding a place for a gas tank on this car, but the problem of a spare tire has me baffled. Since you see so many different cars, you have to know the answer to this one. Thanks.Jeff EdwardsAtlanta, GA
A.There's no getting around it; sometimes building a street rod is a case of putting 10 pounds of stuff in a 5-pound bag. The fact is there's only so much room in an early car and you've got to make some choices. The choice most rodders make is to run without a spare.
While trusting to luck is one approach, there are other options. There are flat repair kits that inject sealant into the tire and will inflate it enough to get the car to a shop. Plugs that are inserted into something like a nail hole are also available. However, if a tire fails completely, a spare is often your only salvation.
From a practical standpoint it makes sense to carry the smallest spare possible. Most street rods have different-size tires on each end anyway, and a small spare will get you back on the road. You may want to look at the small space saver spares used on many new cars, or the collapsibles that were once common; check your local wrecking yard. They probably have a bunch of them. While you're at it, check the mid- to late-'70s T-birds and perhaps Lincoln Continentals. If memory serves me right, they had a small spare on an aluminum wheel.