Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

Hi all, I have a customers 1957 283 SBC in my shop and would really like to replace the rope seal with a newer style seal. All I have found is a seal sold by Danchuck or using a seal from a 250 L6 and inserting a .090" wire behind it. Seems hokey to me but was wondering what some of you have done? It's not a race engine but it still deserves better than a rope seal! Thanks!

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

That solution works very well. I build those engines for guys who restore Corvettes, and we have used several of those. There is another version sold by a guy with a business called Maxx Parts. I have installed one of those in a recent build. It only has break in time, so all I can say is that it went in well, wasn't too expensive ($40) and has not leaked yet.

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

Could you describe the 6-cyl. seal/wire method a little more? A friend...doing up a '56
wanted to know.....

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

I have used the right thickness Plastic tiewrap/ziptie instead of the wire. Takes a little trimming and fitting. The tiewrap/ziptie also works well when I align bore/hone a 400 block and remove seal lip material. Think of it as just filler material to get the seal to crush properly. You can get it crushed too much and it will leak.

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

Have you checked w/ Egge Machine in CA.?
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

what I use at work is a 1964 153 L 4 clind seal , cut the end stubs off works for 265 to .

Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283?
 

I went with the 250 L6 seal and wire method. I installed the wire on the outboard side of the seal to keep the seal positioned as far forward against the Block groove as possible. The ends of the seal butt up nicely and I staggered them like normal. Haven't run it on the Dyno yet but it looks like it should work. Thanks for all the input.