Have a billet rear main bearing cap. Tried Chrysler seals, no luck.
Engine: '57 312
Do any of you know the secret to stop this billet cap from leaking ?
Tim in Florida

Click on "Links" at top of Page. Go to Ted Eaton Balancing. He has a list of Technical Article.One is for rear main Seal on 312. There is a good Seal sold by "Best" which apparently when properly installed works well  in most Cases.

  

Thanks,
Just got off the phone with a BESTgasket distributor and he helped.
Again, THANKS !!,
Tim in florida

Good. I would still print off Ted's Article for Reference because He has a Couple of Tips to improve the chances of success even using Best Seals. I used it when I replaced the Seal in my 292 that leaked from the start after I rebuilt it. Seems to have solved my problem.

  

Will read the topics again, they are good info.
Thanks again for your input.
Tim in Florida

I use the Chrysler seal on all 312's and the stock retainer (over 20 years) with no problems, I think most leaks are from the pan where it covers the oil seal retainer, I always use studs in the retainer and put sealer on top of the retainer bolt heads.

Are using a billet cap on the 312's ?
We have a billet aluminum cap and tried BESTgasket's seal but it failed.
Tim in Florida

,Apparently the  "early" Best seal, which I believe is the Red seal (I may be corrected on that information ?) does not work well, however their later Black seal works well. However, the installation is tricky & needs to be followed properly or a leak will result. See Ted Eatons instructions (link to Eaton Balancing from here).  Another place that can appear to be a seal leak is the rear camshaft plug, which will leak if not sealed properly when installed & it needs to be installed with some clearance to the Cam. See also info on that from Eaton..  
N.B.- edit; see below, I'm corrected by Miker, the bad seal is an "orange color" not Red. - Thanks 
 
 


Paul

They were actually an “orange” seal, and very easy to spot. They were a softer silicone I think, and often failed in 500 miles. I had one in my 312, and it didn’t make it that far. I replaced it with the current Best black seal, which I think is neoprene. So far so good, but I haven’t gone that far.

We followed all Ted’s instructions carefully, double checked everything, so I hope it’s solved. The other culprits were eliminated as possible leaks, so I know it was that orange seal.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I only use the Ford retainer, the Chrysler seal in my Bird I installed in 1995, still good.