Felt Crank seal

[Eric Garland]

Any suggestions on fishing out the lower front felt seal on the crankshaft? I pulled the timing cover and the top on was worn out so I thought I would replace the bottom one if it can be done. I didn't want to start poking at it without advice from here.
Thanks
Eric

[Norman Kling]

You need to remove the crankcase to do the bottom one. I would suggest that you cut it about 1/4 inch above the crankcase on each side and then take a large flat head punch and try to pound it down a bit. Not hard enough to break anything. Then cut a new seal to fit in the timing gear cover. Then next time you need to pull the engine out to work on the engine, magneto, or transmission, you can replace the entire seal. I like to use the woven seal made for a Model A. They wear better and still allow you to pull the timing gear cover.
Norm

[speedytinc]

If the felt is still pliable, you could stuff a bit more in to tighten its contact on the lower half. Digging it out with out at least loosening the pan bolts to give a larger gap to work with would be difficult. & difficult to replace. What ever tool you would use could easily nick the seal surface creating more problems getting a seal.

[jsaylor]

You might have better luck adding a modern seal to the exterior of the timing cover.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1533316469

[speedytinc]

You might have better luck adding a modern seal to the exterior of the timing cover.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1533316469

So true. either way, if you have room to fit an external seal ( & have an appropriate functional seal surface)
You will do a better job stopping oil seepage, as the felt seals slow the leak down, but tend to weep constantly by their nature.

[SurfCityGene]

Hi Eric, The Best oil drip/leak solution on the T is the modern seal that was posted above!

Johnny I'm surprised you didn't offer to sell him one of the very narrow ones that you found?

I would never build a T engine without one!

[RGould1910]

I've been able to remove the bottom felt without removing the crankcase using needle nose pliers and a screwdriver. I replaced it with a new one with a wire wrapped around one end and threading the wire thru the channel and working it around the crankshaft. Not the easiest thing I've ever done but doable.

[Craig Leach]

Hi Eric,
See the factory service manual #495-497 There is a tool called a Sneaky Pete that is available from the auto parts store. Some come with a
plastic punch to push the seal/felt out so you can get a hold of it to pull it out. then a device to pull the new one in with. I always use rope
packing like a model A uses but like to buy it longer to make it easyer. I recomend getting the Chines finger trap style because the U hook
one doesn't look like it will make the curve. leave the rope long so you can push it into the crank case as much as you can using the plastic
punch then cut it off at least a 3/32 " long on both sides to make up for the gasket thickness & give some crush when the timing cover is
installed. Do the same with the cover leaving extra to crush. I like to take a paper hole punch and cut a U in the gasket so there is none
between the packing. The seal glued/siliconed on the front works good if the leak is not too bad. I'm of the school that it gets put on every
engine I build. But doe's rquire that you remove the pulley. If you have a stock pulley thats loose this is a good time to address that.
Craig.

[ModelTMark]

I use the Model A rope seal on all my T's, much better than felt. Snyder's has them. You need two. Insert them and then cut them flush with the pan and /or timing cover.

Mark

[Dan Hatch]

I still have some of these.
https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=33401

[A Whiteman]

I use the Model A rope seal on all my T's, much better than felt

Same, no issues with this either.

[Mark Gregush]

When installing the Model A rope seals, you should leave them about 1/8" above the pan and timing cover for crush after you get them seated.

Adding: We soak them in oil before installing, never dry would do the same for felt type. When I install any felts, except maybe the hogs head one, I pre grease or soak in oil before installing.

[jiminbartow]

Once impregnated with oil, the felt swells. Not sure about the rope type. Jim Patrick