Hey everyone I just received some bad news from the machine shop. It turns out that I have a number of significant cracks on my 455 block and will have to go in a different direction. I do have the original motor (which is a 430 short block) to my 67 wildcat, it’s in ok condition, but has a rear main seal leak (the previous owner used a regular rope seal). I want to take it up to hot August nights but I have to go throu the engine. Any suggestions on what things you would do besides fix the leak to make it reliable. I know I have to remove the crank for the rear main seal and if that’s the case should I just rebuild the whole engine with the oil mods and a few upgrades ( the 430). I bought a TA 212 cam already for the 455 and was thinking of putting that in the 430. I just wanted a cruiser with a little more kick. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks
My friend runs the 212 in a 430. It definitely rumbles. What kind of mileage does the engine have. I know my friends car really should get a converter as the sticker is a little tight for that cam. But it works.
It has about 100,000 miles on it according to the previous owner. I’m just kind of bummed out about the other block. I know I have to rebuild the 430. I’m really thinking should I do the oil mods/ then rebuild the engine or just hone the walls and stuff a cam in it
Jason are you sure that's what you meant? The rope seal is pressed in around the crankshaft. I would think it would be impossible to remove and change a rope seal without at least removing a main cap.
They make a tool called a Sneaky Pete for that job. Of course, you have to remove the rear main cap, but you can usually get the top half out and back in with a little patience. You know that shops back in the day weren't pulling the crank every time a car came in with a dripping rear main.
Jason, cause no one knows how to do one, nowadays....try asking a local shop to do one. They will look at you crosseyed with jaw agape. geez, I sound like an old fart, and so do you. Chinese Fingers, remember them?
