Chaning rope seal, add sealant?

jfharper · Jul 8, 2010

I'm rebuilding my perkins AD3.152 and was wondering if I should put some sort of sealant (permetex, etc) on the rope seals? Anyone know? Thanks.

DavidP, South Wales · Jul 9, 2010

Hi,
Looks like you have answered my question from above with this posting.
No sealer should be used. From my own experience I have had problems with non-gen rope seals. Whilst they look the same the material is very different. It is possible to squeeze the gen ones a little between the fingers. Non-gen ones are hard. Centre the seal in the aluminium holder and tap it in gently with a hammer handle. When the seal is fully seated there should be about 1/8" protruding from each end. Assemble the two halves together and tighten the long bolts until there is a gap of about 3/16". Fit the top left hand screw and the bottom right one. Insert the centre screws in the al housings taking care not to damage the gasket. Tighten the long bolts slowly until you can start the centre screws. By this time the halves should be in contact and you can fit the remaining two. Tighten the short screws before finally tightening the long ones.

David P

DavidP, South Wales · Jul 9, 2010

Forgot to add, if the engine is excessively tight to turn by hand with the seals fitted you will need to replace them. I have done two 135's with non gen seals and both lasted about 5 hours before they started leaking.....no more non gen ones.
DavidP

jfharper · Jul 9, 2010

David,
Good info...thanks again.

One question is I didn't follow what "gen" meant? Is that like original (gen) and aftermarket (non-gen)? Thanks.

Roy in UK · Jul 10, 2010

If I may interject on David's behalf. 'Gen' is short for genuine. I know, we Brits talk funny!

jfharper · Jul 11, 2010

Well, that makes sense.

Thanks.

OK, so now the question comes in...how can I tell if the rope seal I get is gen or non-gen. I ordered the Major Overhaul Kit from A&I...anyone know if the rope seal included in this kit is gen or non-gen? Thanks.

jfharper · Jul 29, 2010

(quoted from post at 01:15:22 07/09/10) Hi,
Looks like you have answered my question from above with this posting.
No sealer should be used. From my own experience I have had problems with non-gen rope seals. Whilst they look the same the material is very different. It is possible to squeeze the gen ones a little between the fingers. Non-gen ones are hard. Centre the seal in the aluminium holder and tap it in gently with a hammer handle. When the seal is fully seated there should be about 1/8" protruding from each end. Assemble the two halves together and tighten the long bolts until there is a gap of about 3/16". Fit the top left hand screw and the bottom right one. Insert the centre screws in the al housings taking care not to damage the gasket. Tighten the long bolts slowly until you can start the centre screws. By this time the halves should be in contact and you can fit the remaining two. Tighten the short screws before finally tightening the long ones.

David P

David,
Did you soak the new non-gen rope seals in clean engine oil for at least an hour before installing?
Did you add graphite grease to the inside diameter of the non-gen rope seal?
Were the genuine rope seals you found made by Vapormatic?

I think mine are non-gen, ordered from A&I, and they do feel hard but squeeze just a bit at the ends...in the middle I don't think they squeeze... and I rather spend a bit more money and get this right the first time than have to do it again...that is a good deal of work.

Thanks for your help.

Chaning rope seal, add sealant?

jfharper

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DavidP, South Wales

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DavidP, South Wales

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jfharper

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Roy in UK

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jfharper

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jfharper

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