Replacement for rope seal in a 283?

RPM5595 · 11-08-2013, 12:18 AM

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!

Alan Roehrich · 11-08-2013, 07:47 AM

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.

ss wannabee · 11-16-2013, 03:28 PM

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

Adger Smith · 11-16-2013, 05:25 PM

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.

Mike Taylor 3601 · 11-19-2013, 09:28 AM

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

Tim olson · 11-20-2013, 12:45 AM

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

11-08-2013, 12:18 AM	#1
RPM5595 Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashua,Iowa Posts: 136 Likes: 84 Liked 32 Times in 14 Posts	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! __________________ Jay Roeder facebook.com/racefuelsales Former N/SA , Soon to be SS/AS, Renegade Race Fuel dealer

11-08-2013, 07:47 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,111 Likes: 1,570 Liked 1,812 Times in 413 Posts	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. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-16-2013, 03:28 PM	#3
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	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.....

11-16-2013, 05:25 PM	#4
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	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. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

11-19-2013, 09:28 AM	#5
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,371 Likes: 352 Liked 304 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Replacement for rope seal in a 283? Have you checked w/ Egge Machine in CA.? Mike Taylor 3601

11-20-2013, 12:45 AM	#6
Tim olson Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 .