Hi all,

Having spent an afternoon digging through old threads (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-packing.html) and searching the web for vendors, I still am confused about the front and rear rope seals on the 226 flathead.

The manual shows three different part #'s for the seals: 6700 (rear upper), 6707 (rear lower), 6701 (rear upper and lower). I've only found one vendor who seems to make these (https://bestgasket.com/rear-main-seals/). They show a kit specifically for the 226 (#7091), which is different than the one for the 239 v8 (#4287). After digging around, I found the front gasket kit, which includes the timing cover gasket too (#GS11045).

So does anyone know if these seals are more-or-less interchangeable??? Basically, are there 3 original part numbers because the original seals were different lengths? Any are the v8 rope seals actually different than the flat6???

Thanks and happy 4th!
badger_hound



Best Gasket kit 7091 - 226 flat 6


Best Gasket kit 4287 - 239 v8



Best Gasket kit - 226 flat 6 front seal/timing cover

 

I've read some recommendations are not to use a modern manufacture rope type seal, they used to be made of different materials. Word has it supposedly they don't work nearly as well. As in leaks. NOS should still be available, or convert to modern neoprene. Maybe not an issue with flatties but it is with other engines. Maybe something to investigate a little anyway.

 

I wish I could go to neoprene - I just don't think there is any neoprene kits out there for this engine. Can you get curved neoprene blanks in different sizes?

 

Subscribed. I have a 226 that has a wicked leak and am building the courage to tackle the front and rear main seals. Tom

 

Do you have the pan off, so you can measure it? I have a V8 pan I can measure to compare. Need diameters and width of the grooves they fit into.(ID & OD)

I've had better luck with FelPro ropes, compared to the Best graphite ropes. Who can say if it's the materials or I just did it better one time.

 

Ross - no I don't. I'm buying supplies now to get started next week or so... or whenever the heat wave breaks! I'll post the measurements then.

Good to know about the Fel Pro alternative. I found a supplier online, but they don't give any tech specs so I don't know if they will fit (https://www.carid.com/fel-pro/rope-s...-bs130442.html). I think I'm going to call Best and Fel Pro on Monday for more info.

 

I have a newly rebuild (professionally) 1951 226H that used the Best graphite seals. The front seals are fine with no leaks, the rear seals do leak. I made a catch pan to go under the hole in the bell housing and measure the amount of oil that come out. I have about 200 miles on the engine at the moment and not sure the rings have fully seat as I am getting some oil out of the draft tube. This tells me I have some blow by on the rings still.

I got a little over 4 ounces for the first 100 miles, but it have slowed down a little in the between 100 and 200 miles. Hopefully, once the rings set fully it will not be a bad.

However, based on my research on the 226, I have not heard of one that does not leak from the rear seal.

 

Thanks for the info Splash! I can see that mine is leaking from the rear as well. I hope that changing the oil pan gasket/bottom seals will help with that, but I'm not planning to change the upper rear rope seal unless I pull the engine, or I can find someone who can do it for a reasonable fee. As it is an old truck, I am not concerned about it having some oil leakage, just as long as it is not ridiculous.

 

Prior to my engine being rebuilt, I looked at the oil pan surfaces. I found that the someone in the past had damaged the flange on each side of the seal (bottom crank seal). I assumed this was caused by over torquing the bolts or using a small head bolt, not really sure. I would be sure to check the flange across the seal area and ensure it is level and true.

 

Sounds good Splash - thanks for the tip!

 

Ok, this is what I found out after calling Best Gasket and Fel Pro:

The Best Gasket rear kit and front kit (timing chain cover) uses the same rope seal (part#2244). According to their tech support this is definitely a different thickness than the rope seal used for the 239 v8! The 226 rear seal kit (#7091) can be special ordered through EGGE (1-866-534-3443), and costs $20.26. These rope seals are also included in the Best Gasket 226 rebuild kit (RS528C), timing cover kit (GS11045), and oil pan kit (29008), which are available through assorted online vendors.

Fel Pro does not currently make a rope seal gasket for the 226, according to their tech support, although they make rope seals for other engines.

So now I'm pricing gasket kits as I need an oil pan gasket, front and rear rope seals, timing chain cover gasket, and head gasket. The Best Gasket engine kit is about ~$160-180 online and includes the rope seals, but also a bunch of extra gaskets I don't need or that I can easily make myself. So I'll probably just get the Fel pro engine kit (~$70 at rockauto.com), which doesn't include the rope seals, and then order 2 of the rear seal kits from EGGE.

EDIT - actually, I found a better deal on the Best Gasket 226 kit on ebay and ordered that for $140 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-6-cyl-...1/253576190817). This vendor also has the same kit for about the same price ~$150 (https://vintagegasket.com/shop/engin...ng-set-rs528c/

 

The 226 flat piston seal kit is different from the seal kit for the 239 V8, but if you're looking for o-rings, it's fine as long as they are interchangeable.