I have seen these new rope seals and they are definitely easier to work with, I put one in an old Packard engine I built last spring and it seems to work well. But if you can get a neoprene seal that is the Best way to go.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Actually, Best Gasket has just released a new Teflon based rope seal kit for vintage engines, including early Olds, Buick Nailheads & Ford Y-Blocks. Apparently, many rope seals currently available are not the same as old seals (which were obviously also prone to problems) but were made worse by the removal of Asbestos in them. This new seal design is supposed to be better. Of course Best also offers a Neoprene rubber seal for Y-blks. Which is best? I don't know?..

Paul

You used to be able to buy a set up called a "Sneeky Pete" that had a screw like that for extracting and a cable with thing like a "Chines finger cuff" on one end to pull the new wick through. They were hard to get to work, but they did the job if you closed one eye and held your tounge right. I don't think many people use rope seals anymore though.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I needed to remove my rear main seal since my engine was out of the car

And I forgot which kind I had in the engine.

I presumed it was a rope seal and a long time friend, Tom McCartney, let me borrow this tool he made years ago as a mechanic and owner of several yblock cars.

I didn't need it because I had a urethane seal and it was easy to remove and reinstall a new one.

But just in case anyone wants to use a rope seal here is a a pic of what he used to help guide in the new rope seal. Pretty good idea - If you have to remove and install all the time. Of course you might not have an extra rear main retainer to saw in half OR might not want to at todays prices and availability.

the screw was used as the extractor another essential. Just thought you might like to see what others have done.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK