Front rope seals

[dover17]

Hello everyone. I just recently rebuilt the engine on my ford 9n.( my
first engine rebuild ever). I got lots of information from these forums
and I want to say thank you to everyone for all the help! Anyway I got
the engine back in the tractor and was running it around yesterday
for about an hour and noticed the front main seal was dripping oil.
Very frustrating. I watched a YouTube video on installing them and
they said to let the rope seals sit in oil for about a day and then install
them and cut the excess. Thats what I did exactly but obviously it
didnt work. Any advice on what to do? Thank you

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 15:37:11 08/16/21) Hello everyone. I just recently rebuilt the engine on my ford 9n.( my
first engine rebuild ever). I got lots of information from these forums
and I want to say thank you to everyone for all the help! Anyway I got
the engine back in the tractor and was running it around yesterday
for about an hour and noticed the front main seal was dripping oil.
Very frustrating. I watched a YouTube video on installing them and
they said to let the rope seals sit in oil for about a day and then install
them and cut the excess. Thats what I did exactly but obviously it
didnt work. Any advice on what to do? Thank you

The rope seals sold today do not need soaking and will not benefit from it. Did you check the crankshaft for wear in the seal area?

TOH

 

[tractorguy2]

You can buy a one piece seal for the front. That's what I would do.

I don't cut the ends of the rope seal flush. Leave about a 1/16 or slightly less sticking up.

 

[dover17]

Thanks for the advice tractorguy2. I didnt know they had a one piece seal seams like a better way to go. I will look online to see if I can find one.

 

[dover17]

I did feel the area where the seal went on the crankshaft and it felt
good not sure if a feel test is good enough? The rear seal doesnt
seem to be leaking yet but who knows. Do you think soaking them
possibly ruined them?

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 17:16:56 08/16/21) Do you think soaking them
possibly ruined them?

I think it did nothing good or bad.

TOH

 

[6 SLY PLACE]

Did you buy a new crankshaft pulley or forget to put the oil slinger on the crankshaft?

 

[WayneIA]

I didn't know the front seal sealed on the crankshaft!! Every 9N engine I've seen sealed on the front pulley hub!!

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 05:53:33 08/17/21) I didn't know the front seal sealed on the crankshaft!! Every 9N engine I've seen sealed on the front pulley hub!!

The front does as do most engines - my bad 😣. The hub on the pulley is also a common wear problem and source of oil leaks. New pulley and one piece seal - a $50 fix.

TOH

 

[dover17]

I did buy a new crank shaft pulley old one was shot. And the oil slinger is on!

 

[dover17]

Thank you everyone for the replys. I have to do some work with the tractor before I tear it down again but based on what everyone has said I will get a one piece seal. Hopefully that will fix my problem and I will be back in business.

 

[Den N Ms]

Dover17 ,I wouldn't get in to big of a hurry about replacing the front rope seal.Especially with a new pulley,as I have had a few that I have rebuilt leak a small amount and completely stopped after a short time after the seal swelled some.Especially if it is not leaking to bad.Give it some time ,you can always replace it with a full rubber seal latter.

 

[jimtrs]

(quoted from post at 15:37:11 08/16/21) Hello everyone. I just recently rebuilt the engine on my ford 9n..... noticed the front main seal was dripping oil.

Very frustrating. I watched a YouTube video on installing them and they said to let the rope seals sit in oil for about a day and then install them and cut the excess. Thats what I did exactly but obviously it didnt work.

Takes a bit of finesse here (and experience)
Odds are it's leaking where either the ropes butt, or the oil pan gasket butts the ropes.
The following was copied from a reply I made to
this thread

I use a "little" RTV behind the seal retainers. Then insert ropes, cut just slightly above retainer / block. Then right before buttoning up, a little, strategically placed amount of RTV where the rope ends will butt.

I don't personally let the oil pan gasket go between the ropes, some folks do. I butt to the ropes. I use an even smaller amount of RTV here.

I also like the rope seal up front, while others like the modern lip seal replacement. I have had a tuff time getting that type to center properly.

I do ALL this with the engine out, on a stand.

No Gasket sealer on oil pan gasket, it will squish the gasket out of position. A little Permatex on the timing gear cover is OK. RTV on Governor to cover later. No matter how hard you try, none of these governors are "Flat" anymore.

 

[dover17]

Thanks for the advice. I will keep an eye on it as I put it to work.

 

[dover17]

Good info thank you for the help.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I don't personally let the oil pan gasket go between the ropes

You are one ell of a good guesser if it works out for ya... : )

Think about it...

 

[chetswen]

I'm with Den N Ms here. The last rebuild on my 8N leaked at first like yours. It's been 14 years now and has not leaked since. Run it a bit and see if it stops.