Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello All:

I've read all the archives I could find regarding proper installation of a rope seal, including this one which was pretty comprehensive:

elan-archive-f16/assembly-rope-seal-engine-t9581.html

Key points being use the graphite type, 1/8" out on each end, don't press too hard on the seal surface.

In my most recent attempt I followed the advice, even made up a jig the same diamater as the crank to push the seal in radially so as to avoid point pressure. The result: fine at idle, but the first time I used the clutch it started leaking again. (end float OK).

I will try again, but before I do, has anyone used a modern rubber seal in this application? Is there one available on a modern engine that is the right size to fit our application?

Regards,
Darren

Darren, are you looking for something other than the obvious answer of ...why not convert everything over to the lip seal arrangement, which includes crank, pan, flywheel, maybe clutch, maybe oil pickup, seal carrier, etc.? I think what you're asking is, why not fit a modern seal in a lip seal carrier, that would seal the current 4 bolt crank?

Greg Z

Greg,

I'm going to keep my current setup, not worth converting. I'm just wondering whether there are any alternatives to the rope seal that have been tried, before I try another rope. If not, I will try again...

Reviving an old thread rather than starting a new one - but saw a post on FB asking for rope seal alternatives and shared the following - and it was suggested I do so on the forum, as well.

This comes from a thread and discussion on Keith Franck's vintagetechnologygarage io group, where he shared having researched and talked with the owner of BestGasket about their graphtite rope seal. He posted the following article with more general information:

https://egge.com/media/pdf/HRDeluxe_RMS.pdf

He also shared that in talking with the owner he'd identified which would fit his rope seal LTC and the success he'd had with it. I know several on here have subsequently done the same, and I've just installed one in my 120E block rope seal pushrod engine (Seven), though I'm still rebuilding so no personal experience, yet, about leak-free.

Here is the current ebay link to a seller of the rope seal that fits our engines:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173989668816?f ... x6dXEYsy6I

It is seal 6382S, for 1968-1976 Pontiac 428-455 (narrow groove)

Thanks Henry. Good info.

My engine hasn't run yet and is fitted with what appeared to be a plain Teflon rope. Was a tight fit. Used a piece of shafting of the correct size to hammer the seal in. I guess I'll hope for the best. Last one I fitted was to a SB Chevy V8 back in the 1960's and I believe it had graphite in it.

Kurt