Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

It was suggested to me today that prior to installing the rope seals in my motor they should be soaked in oil overnight. Comments??

Mike Summers

Mike,

For what it's worth, I learned from an old hot rodder who built mostly leak free flatheads that you soak the seal overnight, lightly roll it into position (he used a big steel bar section- about 2" diameter), then trim the ends leaving them standing proud "by five fine red ones" or about 1/32". Personally I used this method only once, on an old Chevy 6 cylinder, and it remained leak free at least until I sold it.

Now I have no idea if the current seal material is the same, and further, I have converted the two rope seal twin cams I have to 6 bolt cranks and lipseal rear cover, so what do I know!

Dang it - I installed a rope seal by soaking & rolling it in and was able to turn the motor over by hand at the flywheel before installing into the car - now I can?t get it to turn over with it in top gear/ plugs out when I try to rotate a rear wheel that I?ve jacked up off the ground.......

A gentle wheels on the ground / plugs out / top gear engaged push has freed it up (along with loosening the left hand rear pan bolt to relieve a bit of pressure)!

I can now turn it over in gear with a wheel in the air.