VAC Motor

J

Jason (IL)

501 Club
We have all parts back and have been putting our motor back together at school. I get the gasket kit and find a Cotton Rope, where does it go, I do not see anywhere it could go and do not remember one on disassembly. So far we have put the sleeve and pistons in and that is all.

The book I have show a rope but no detail to where it goes.

Thanks
 
That would be my guess as well. Rope main seals were the norm back then, but it's been far too many years since I've done anything to a VAC.
 
According to my book . crank seals for this model are treated leather/felt and go in the retainer plates on outside of blocks.Front seal goes into timing cover,---rear seal goes into 1 piece plate behind flywheel.
Book dont show any rope type seals for vac motor. ---Does your gasket set cover more than just a vac motor? thanks; sonny
 
Check the front and rear main crankshaft bearing caps and block for matching 1/2 circles machined in the cap and block. If the rope seal is used on the engine, that is where it should go.

One more location to check, back end of the crankshaft for a hole behind the pilot bushing with a wick in the hole. Will also be a tiny hole in the crankshaft leading to the wick. Purpose is to lubricate the pilot shaft bushing.

As Sonny states, gasket set is probably for more than one engine.
 
I checked the rear main cap and there is some rope wick sticking out, BUT how the heck you get it in there? Is it just balled up and shoved in? (My guess).

I watched 15 of the guy's videos and learned some pretty good tips there and I am sure I will need more with this motor. We will be working on it tonight and hope to get the engine assembled by the end of next week. I made a deal with the kids to have it ready to start by Feb 1st and ready to paint by March 1st. So far the big motivator is FOOD, cook out at my house. I could care less about the deadline and cooking but the kids I have working on it are having a blast I must say. They want to do the work, I try to help and once I explained they push me away, which is good.

Thanks
 
Jason, I don't know if there is any way to contact the guy that did the video, but if you could, he can probably explain how he figured out to do it.

Bob
 
On some engines the rope seal rides on the rear main crankshaft journal. I&T manuals say to remove the upper half you need to remove the engine. But, I have replace the upper half on two different manufacturers engines by loosening the crankshaft main bearing caps and lowering the crankshaft by 1/2" or so. Picking out the seal. Lubricating the seal, soft copper wire attached to rope seal and pulling into place while rotating the crankshaft.

I&T manual for Allis Chalmers
Make certain oil seal contacting surface on crankshaft is smooth and true, and seal lubricated before assembling.
Click to expand...
In the video it appears the rope seal is only to seal the sides of the rear crankshaft bearing cap. Above information may not be applicable for your VAC engine.
 
I will pull the part back off the motor tonight and take a few pics. But I looked at it this morning and there are weep holes in both sides with a little cotton sticking out.

My question is do I need to soak the rope before putting it in or should I put it in dry. Same with the felt seal behide the front pulley?

Thanks
 
soak the seals with new oil!!!---keeps from tearing them up when putting them in! ---I know its messy, but that goes with with the job! thanks; sonny
 
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